bloodroot

American  

[bluhd-root, -root] / ˈblʌdˌrut, -ˌrʊt /

noun

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

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bloodroot British  

/ ˈblʌdˌruːt /

noun

1. Also called: red 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

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Etymology

Origin of bloodroot

First recorded in 1570–80; blood + root ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bloodroot

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 ● Jul. 9, 2021

In addition to American ginseng, Felumlee cultivates goldenseal, black cohosh, blue cohosh, bloodroot, red trillium, and false unicorn under his trees’ canopy.

From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2019

Hung on the wall above is a blackboard covered with careful but frenzied text: “Remember to gather,” followed by a list of herbs: catnip, bloodroot, golden seal, rosemary, sassafras.

From The New Yorker ● May 27, 2017

Not even the tips of the bloodroot were showing, and trout lily leaves were resigned to south-facing slopes.

From New York Times ● Apr. 18, 2015

“I'm worried,” Ella admitted, swishing her fingers in the liquid, chasing the conjure-rose petals as Mama sprinkled in the bloodroot.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

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