Genus of one species of rhizomatous perennial occurring in moist woodland in E. North America. It is cultivated for its cup-shaped, white flowers (with many petals), which emerge from between the vertically folded leaves as they unfurl, in spring. Grow in moderately fertile soil, humus rich, moist but well-drained soil in deep or partial shade. Thrives in part-day sun where soils remain reliably moist. To propagate, divide rhizomes immediately after flowering. Pest and disease trouble free.

Sanguinaria Canadensis. We grow the Canadian Bloodroot in the American bed (right of the exit to the car park at the College), where it has its transient white flowers in April/May. It is so named because of the orange sap seen when the rhizome is cut. Lindley says it is an acrid narcotic, that in small does slows the pulse and in smaller doses acts as a tonic. It is toxic in that the powdered rhizome ‘acts violently as an emetic’ but that it is ‘ a useful escharotic [= a corrosive agent] in case of soft polypi and has been recommended in typhoid pneumonia, pthisis [tuberculosis], croup, hydrothorax, jaundice, etc...’ The thought of a compound, that burns off warty outgrowths and can be ingested for the treatment of infections, punctured lungs and liver disease, defies all modern logic, but I expect that our descendants will look on some of our current medicines with the same amazement. It was used in North American herbal traditions for respiratory conditions and for the treatment of warts.

Sanguinaria canadensis - Bloodroot: having red sap. A herbal remedy as an emetic, for coughs, and a topical cure for warts. It grows in shady NE American woodlands where it was traditionally used for respiratory complaints and as an ointment for warts and skin ulcers and tumours. More recently, it has been used commercially in expectorants and as a mouth wash. Despite its toxicity, it continues to feature in some toothpastes and oral rinses because of its activity against gingivitis and dental plaque, although its use is associated with development of pre-cancerous plaques in the mouth and on the tongue. Contains benzylisoquinolone alkaloids – chiefly sanguinarine - which are both toxic and mutagenic. Endangered due to over-collection, it is now exciting interest as an anti-cancer drug. The related Macleaya cordata, a rampant perennial, is an alternative source of sanguinarine.

Syn = Sanguinaria canadensis 'Flore Pleno'; Syn.= Sanguinaria canadensis var. multiplex E.H.Wilson Gard. Chron. ser. 3, 73: 283. 1923

Sanguina’ria Bloodroot. From Latin, sanguis, blood. All parts have copious yellowish-red sap.

‘Plena’- double or full. With more than usual number of petals.

A monotypic genus in Papaveraceae (poppy family) from North America, it was initially called Chelidonium majus canadense acaulon as the leaves and colourful sap were reminiscent of Chelidonium majus, the European greater celandine. Native Americans – Chicksaw, Creek, Seminole, Cherokee and Timacua – used the orange sap as a dye for painting heads and garments, and this may be the origin of the name ‘Redskins’. Creek and Yuchi women (red spot on each cheek for Yuchi) painted their faces red if they wished to grant sexual favours. Ponca men put it on their hands and shook hands with a woman to get her to marry them in five to six days. It had multiple medicinal uses but is very toxic if ingested. We grow the double form S. canadensis f. multiplex ‘Plena’.

It contains isoquinolone alkaloids – chiefly sanguinarine - which are both toxic and mutagenic. Effects of ingestion: Nausea, vomiting, burning in mucous membranes on contact, faintness, vertigo, coma, bradycardia. Overdose gives death with violent vomiting, terrible thirst, burning in stomach and intestines, difficulty in breathing, dilatation of the pupils, weakness, faintness and cold skin with death from ‘cardiac paralysis’.

Added to a brand of toothpaste, prolonged use caused pre-cancerous lesions (leukoplakia) and as a herbal remedy (‘black paste’) for rodent ulcers, it caused massive facial ulceration.