Our life living off the land in our log cabin, breathing fresh mountain air, and getting back to basics.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Bloodroot

Bloodroot wildflowers have begun popping up around the cabin. It grows in small clumps, creating little bundles of color through the decaying leaves that surround them. I find them to be quite bright and cheery.

Many American Indians used it as a traditional medicine (click on this link if you'd like to read more). It can be toxic if ingested, so much care must be used when handling it. The leaves are unique and easily recognizable, and the stem holds the redish sap that is used for medicines and also as a dye.

Folklore has it used as a love charm. Men would rub their hands with it then try to hold the hand of the woman they wanted to marry. If she grasped his hand, she would fall in love with him in five or six days and marry him. I wonder if it worked....

It's a pretty little bloom...

...especially it's light green center. Another sign that spring is on its way!

Thanks for reading my blog, see you tomorrow,
Lise

5 comments:

Linda said...

Very informative...and lovely photos, Lise!

Vicki Lane said...

Bloodroot is lovely stuff. Re wild garlic -- snip the green shoots and use like chives in potato salad.

A Colorful World said...

I have always loved bloodroot. But I learned a few things reading your post! So interesting!

Powell River Books said...

I like to know the history and uses of plants. No matter what, they are pretty little flowers and I'm sure a welcome sight in Spring. - Margy

Lise said...

Thanks everyone. It's a treat to discover everything nature has to offer around us!