Root tuberous, knobbed--leaves radical, lobed--lobes laciniated,
light green, under surface reddish purple--veins red--enclosing
the infant blossom, which gradually emerges from its folds--flower
stem simple, erect, about six or eight inches in height--calyx two
segments, convex, deciduous--corolla white--petals eight, oblong,
obtuse--stamens many--style very short--germen superior, terminated by
a stigma divided into two parts.
This beautiful species, which is much larger than the Sanguinaria
Canadensis, was introduced into this country about the year 1812, by
the late Mr. John Lyon, with several other valuable plants, collected
by him in different parts of North America. It takes its name from
the root, which, when broken, emits a red juice resembling blood,
with which the Indians are said to paint themselves. Its blossoms are
transient, and, like many other Spring flowers, require the warmth
of the sun to expand them. It grows best in bog soil and a sheltered
situation, and may be increased by parting its roots, which should
be done in the Autumn, to prevent any check to its flowering in the
following March or April. There is only another species, the S.
Canadensis, above alluded to.
Pl. 8.