bloodroot

[ bluhd-root, -root ]

noun

1. a North American plant, Sanguinaria canadensis, of the poppy family, having a red root and root sap and a solitary white flower.

bloodroot

/ ˈblʌdˌruːt /

noun

1. Also calledred puccoon a North American papaveraceous plant, Sanguinaria canadensis , having a single whitish flower and a fleshy red root that yields a red dye
2. another name for tormentil

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloodroot¹

First recorded in 1570–80; blood + root ¹

Example Sentences

“Make yourself useful and bring me the bloodroot from the cabinet. The powdered version, please.”

From Literature

The move cut off a valuable supply of river cane, bloodroot, sage and other plants, which can be difficult to find on the Cherokee Nation’s reservation in northeastern Oklahoma, on the border with Arkansas.

From New York Times

When Catoctin’s enslaved disappeared, they left behind their dead, simple field stones to mark their graves and the poisonous bloodroot flower in the cemetery underbrush.

From Washington Post

The rug, fashioned out of paper, was meant to look like dirt, and there were paper flowers, myrtle and bloodroot growing in it and climbing up onto Hillhock.

From New York Times

Thus bloodroot, or Sanguinaria canadensis, whose roots and rhizomes secrete a red sap when cut, was once thought to heal blood disorders and hasten wound healing.

From New York Times