Scientific Name
Sanguinaria canadensis
Common Name
Bloodroot

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Family
Papaveraceae
Plant Description
Perennial herb from a rhizome (underground, horizontal stem) with blood-red juice; leaf single, rounded in outline but with shallowly and palmately lobed margin; flower solitary, white, with 8-16 petals; fruit an elongated capsule.
Origin
USA, NC
Distribution
Mainly mountains and Piedmont.
Where Found
Forest or natural areas in rich woods; landscape in flower gardens as herbaceous perennial.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Rhizome (thickened roots).
Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, faintness, dizziness, dilated pupils, fainting, diarrhea, heart failure.
Toxic Principle
Isoquinoline alkaloids.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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