Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Papaveraceae · [VERIFY] · native
Last updated
Bloodroot is a low-growing, spring-ephemeral wildflower in the poppy family native to eastern North America. It reaches 4-8 inches tall with a single, large, deeply lobed gray-green leaf. The plant produces solitary, pristine white flowers with 8-12 petals that appear in early spring before the leaf fully expands.
Bloodroot prefers rich, moist woodland soil in dappled shade and tolerates deep shade. The rhizome contains a red-orange juice that has been used historically in dyes and folk medicine. The plant spreads slowly via rhizomes and self-seeds readily in suitable conditions. It is listed in CITES Appendix II due to overharvesting for medicinal use.
Quick Facts
Phenological Calendar
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Mar 30, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,116 | Beginning of flowering | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 1,112 | Beginning of flowering | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,049 | Beginning of flowering | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,048 | Beginning of flowering | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,041 | Beginning of flowering | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,017 | Beginning of flowering | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,012 | Beginning of flowering | — | — |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ● Beginning of flowering BBCH 61 NOW | 577 | — |
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? Source GDD₅₀ thresholds from Herms 2004 (OSU, Secrest Arboretum, Ohio) and UMD IPMnet (Gill & Klick, mid-Atlantic), converted to GDD₃₂ via Kent bloom-date mapping. Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Mar 30, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Apr 15, 2026, then climate normals.