Bloodroot

An Eastern North American fragile wildflower found in long-undisturbed deciduous forests. Although the roots are poisonous, up until mid-1930's the sap from the roots was used in home- and quack-remedies. The flowers are atop 4 to 6 inch (10 to 15cm) stems which arise out of a single furled leaf in early Spring. The flowers are short-lived, and then the leaf unfurls to its full width. Usually there are 10 to 12 narrow petals radiating outwards, but these I found, just opening, had 8 broad petals in a solidly geometric pattern.