SANGUINARIA grandiflora.
Large-flowered Bloodwort.
Class and Order.—Polyandria Monogynia.
Syn. Lyon's MSS.
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.