Southern Indiana Wildflower Walks

Bloodroot: Sanguinaria canadensis photographed in Owen County Though not blessed with a beautiful name, bloodroot is a lovely flower with its oddly-shaped leaves and delicate white flowers that almost look like porcelain. The rootstock and stem ooze a bright red juice when cut, giving the flower its name. These flowers blanketed the banks of a stream in Owen County, and are usually found in moist, well-drained woodlands throughout Indiana. The root of the plant is poisonous. Native Americans used the red “blood” juice of the plant to dye fabrics, and also to paint their bodies.

All Feature Articles, artwork and photographs ©2001 by Dervish Design. Some information on the 'County Info' pages is taken directly from brochures published by Visitors Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce.