Sanguinaria canadensis aka Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis, also known as bloodroot, is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant native to eastern North America and the only species in the genus Sanguinaria. It is a member of the poppy family Papaveraceae and is related to Eomecon of eastern Asia. The plant's leaves and flower shape are highly variable, with some subspecies being distinct due to their differences. The plant is toxic and produces a red sap that resembles blood, which is used to make dyes. Bloodroot is an early spring bloomer, producing solitary white flowers with 8 to 12 petals on leafless stems. It grows in dappled sunlight in wooded areas and is a skin irritant. The plant has been used for medicinal purposes in the past, but all parts of the plant are poisonous. Preliminary studies have suggested that Sanguinaria canadensis may have potential applications in cancer therapy, but clinical studies are lacking, and its use is not recommended. The plant is becoming increasingly rare and is at risk of extinction in some areas of the United States. Ants are known to eat and disperse its seeds.