south dakota wildflower...

this is bloodroot

poking thru the ground.

~~~

this wildflower native

to south dakota

gets its' name

from the blood-red juice

in its' rhizomes.

this juice was used

by native americans

for dye.

~~~

the flowers emerge
wrapped tightly by the leaves.

~~~
it flowers and
the leaves open.
more foliage follows
on longer stems
after the flowers are gone.
the foliage is as beautiful
as the flowers are.
bloodroot lives
in the shade.
~~~
i got my bloodroot
in a coulee
on some land
of my dad and mom's.
i didn't know what it was
when i dug it up
but i loved the foliage.
later, i learned
all about
my little wild treasure!
~~~~~
~~~
~
have a wild day!
peggy