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Sanguinaria canadensis
  • Blood Root

a perennial member of the Sanguinaria genus in the family Papaveraceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral,alkaline
    Very acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Sanguinaria canadensis has 0 material uses listed
Sanguinaria canadensis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

This species contains many alkaloids and is poisonous in large doses[1][2][3][4]. This herb should not be used by women when they are pregnant or lactating[4]. The sap, fresh or dried, can cause intense irritation to the mucous membranes[5].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Sanguinaria canadensis.

Material uses

A red dye is obtained from the sap of the root[1][3][6][7][8]. It was used as a face paint by the North American Indians[9][10]. Caution is advised, see notes on toxicity[5]. The crushed root has been applied to the body as an insect repellent[10]. Caution is advised, see notes on toxicity[5].

Unknown part

Dye
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Blood root was a traditional remedy of the native North American Indians who used it to treat fevers and rheumatism, to induce vomiting and as an element in divination[11]. In modern herbalism it is chiefly employed as an expectorant, promoting coughing and the clearing of mucus from the respiratory tract[11].

The root is locally anaesthetic, cathartic, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, diuretic, febrifuge, sedative, stimulant, tonic[1][2][3][4]. It is taken internally in the treatment of bronchial, respiratory tract and throat infections, and poor peripheral circulation[12]. Use with caution and preferably only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner[12]. The root is toxic[2][4][13], containing a number of opium-like alkaloids that are also found in other members of this family[10][12]. An excessive dose depresses the central nervous system, causes nausea and vomiting, and may prove fatal[12]. This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant or lactating women[12]. Externally, the root is used in the treatment of skin diseases, warts, nasal polyps, benign skin tumours, sore throats and chilblains[12]. An infusion of the root or the sap of the fresh root is used[14]. The root can be harvested in the autumn, dried and stored for later use. It should not be allowed to become damp since it will then deteriorate[1][10]. Sanguinarine, which is obtained from the root, is used as a dental plaque inhibitor[12].

The root is used to make a homeopathic remedy that is used to treat migraine[12].

Unknown part

Cathartic
Diuretic
Emetic
Emmenagogue
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Homeopathy
Odontalgic
Sedative
Stimulant
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - can be sown in the spring or late summer in an outdoor seedbed. We would advise sowing in pots in a cold frame, preferably as soon as the seed is ripe, otherwise in late winter[K]. Stratification can improve germination rates. The seed produces a root after the first stratification but then requires a warm period and another cold one before a shoot is produced. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late summer as they die down.

Division in August after the leaves die down[15], or in early spring[16]. The plant has brittle roots and so should be handled carefully[12].

Cuttings of half-ripe shoots in late spring in a frame.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Sanguinaria canadensis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a sandy soil but it is not fussy so long as the ground is not water-logged[15]. Requires a leafy soil in a cool position in the shade of deciduous trees[16][17]. Thrives in sun or shade according to another report[15]. Plants grow freely in Britain if they are given a suitable site, and have even succeeded in an open position in a dry gravelly soil[1]. Tolerates a pH range from 5 to 7, or perhaps a bit higher[9].

Dormant plants are hardy to at least -20°c[17]. A very ornamental plant[15], but the flowers are very short-lived[17]. It can succeed in grass[15]. Plants are generally free of disease[9]. Polymorphic[15].

There is at least one named form with double flowers[17].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Sanguinaria canadensis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Sanguinaria canadensis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Sanguinaria canadensis
Genus
Sanguinaria
Family
Papaveraceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[11][1][2][3][4][12][13][10][14]
Material uses & Functions
[1][3][6][7][8][9][10][5]
Botanic
[18][9]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.2 x 0.3 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
    6. ? 6.06.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.5 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.612.712.812.9 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.5 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.117.217.3 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    18. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

    "image:Bloodroot.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Sanguinaria_canadensis&oldid=80654"
    Facts about "Sanguinaria canadensis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPapaveraceae +
    Belongs to genusSanguinaria +
    Has common nameBlood Root +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has imageBloodroot.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye + and Repellent +
    Has mature height0.2 +
    Has mature width0.3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useCathartic +, Diuretic +, Emetic +, Emmenagogue +, Expectorant +, Febrifuge +, Homeopathy +, Odontalgic +, Sedative +, Stimulant + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageBloodroot.jpg +
    Has search namesanguinaria canadensis + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameSanguinaria canadensis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +