Blood Root – Sanguinaria canadensis

Description

The plant is harvested for its thick taproot, which harbors an orange-reddish liquid. Native Americans used the underground parts of bloodroot to produce a dye for clothing, leather and other textiles. This herb is not used internally because, like its cousin, the poppy, it contains opium alkaloids.
It is so-named because its orange root yields a poisonous red sap that Native Americans used as an insect repellent.
Blood root alkaloids are used in certain dental products.
household The root yields a reddish-orange dye.