Bloodroot

Bloodroot is a woodland wildflower of the poppy family, Papaveraceae, native to eastern North America. Wikipedia says its sap is red and poisonous, and Kynes describes a single palm-shaped leaf that unfurls after a white, many-petalled flower with a yellow centre has opened. Kynes writes that the name comes from the red-orange sap that oozes from the rhizome when it is cut. Cunningham calls it masculine, with Mars and fire, and lists love, protection and purification. He has the root carried or worn to draw love and to avert evil spells, and set near doorways and windowsills to protect the home. The darkest red roots, called king roots or he roots, are held the best. Kynes adds the Moon and water, and says the Algonquin, Cherokee, Delaware, Iroquois and Micmac used it as a medicine and a dye, and the Ponca and Algonquin as a love charm. Cunningham, Kynes, Wikipedia and the American Herbal Products Association all record hazards, set out in the safety notes.