Characteristics of a representative of the flora, how to grow sanguinaria on the site, recommendations for planting and care, pest and disease control, curious notes. Sanguinaria (Sanguinaria) belongs to the genus of perennial plants with a herbaceous form of growth, belonging to the Poppy family (Papaveraceae). There is only one representative in the genus, whose native places of growth are in North America - the natural range covers areas from the south of Canada to the east of the United States of America.
The plant got its scientific name thanks to the translation of the Latin word "sangvis", meaning "blood". This idea was prompted by the property of sanguinaria, in which, when the root and stem are damaged, an orange-red liquid is released at the base. In some countries, this specimen of the green world is called the "blood root" because of this unusual property. With this juice, the warriors of the Indian tribes living in the north of the American continent painted their faces before the battle to intimidate their enemies.
The only species of this genus is Sanguinaria canadensis, which has a long life cycle and excellent winter hardiness. The rhizome of the plant, which is underground, has a thickness of up to 2 cm and its branching resembles a spruce branch. The annual increase in the length of the radicular processes of the "blood root" is 2–10 cm. There are internodes on the old parts of the roots, which can persist up to 3-4 years, but buds are laid only on the tops of young shoots. During this period, the sanguinaria is trying to conquer more and more spaces.
Over time, the rhizome grows in such a way that its parts begin to creep on top of each other, occupying a layer of up to 10 cm in depth. Often, the buds begin to emerge on the surface of the substrate. Young root shoots are subsequently drawn into the depths of the soil, by those numerous contractile roots (such roots have fleshy outlines, and the ability to contract in the longitudinal direction is pronounced), which grow in the lower part of the rhizome. The color of it and all the roots with a red tint. When fractured, the liquid is also of a bright orange-reddish color.
The height of the plant itself is small, and it does not exceed 15 cm. The leaf plates at this time during this period are wrapped around the flowering stems and their appearance seems to be very unusual. In the process of growth, the leaves unfold, their size becomes large, gradually rising to a height of up to 30 cm. The leaf plate has a bluish-gray tint, yellow color veins are clearly visible on it, which look quite embossed, and there is a reddish tint on the reverse side. There is a serration along the edge of the sheet, but its very shape is carved and rather attractive; the plate can be divided into 3–9 blades. The width of the leaf does not exceed 15 cm. The leaf petiole is short and also with a reddish undertone.
During flowering, a bud is formed, which, with natural growth, has a simple (in one row) structure, a flower consists of 4 pairs of petals. The edge of the petals is rounded, the location in the corolla is symmetrical. The flowers are devoid of aroma; when fully opened, their diameter is 7–7.5 cm. The flowering process in sanguinaria begins very early, when the snow cover is just beginning to melt, a leaf and a bud are formed, which lasts about 30 days. It is the cool temperatures that contribute to the process of flower preservation, if in early spring temperatures rise rapidly, then the flowering period can be as little as two weeks.
At the end of the June days, the seeds ripen, however, their germination is very low. Seed material is represented by small peas, colored red. The seeds are located in an elongated fruit-box, with many faces.
Mutations often lead to changes in the type of plant or living creature, the same spontaneous transformations affected the shape of the sanguinaria flower - double varieties were formed. The bud of the plant began to count numerous petals with a pointed tip at the top. The petals are arranged in several rows and at the same time so densely that the core is practically hidden. If such a representative of the genus was discovered by botanists in natural conditions, then it was transferred to greenhouses in order to subsequently cultivate it.
Growing sanguinaria on the site: planting and caring for a flower
- Place for planting a plant. To make the "blood root" feel comfortable, they try to plant it in partial shade, which can be provided by the crowns of deciduous trees or shrubs. If such a place is periodically illuminated by the sun's rays, it is recommended to regularly water the sanguinaria. But at the same time it is important not to allow the substrate to be in a flooded state. If the planting site is constantly in direct sunlight, then abundant and regular watering will be required. It should also be borne in mind that some varieties have the property of discoloration of flower petals if they are without shelter from ultraviolet fluxes.
- Soil for planting. The acidity of the substrate should be neutral or acidic (peat). It is best to make a soil mixture yourself from river sand, deciduous soil (this is collected in parks or forests from under deciduous trees, capturing a little rotted foliage) and humus - the parts of the components should be equal. Some growers recommend doubling the proportion of humus. Before installing the seedling, a good layer of drainage is placed in the planting holes - medium-sized expanded clay, pebbles or crushed brick. These materials will be able to prevent stagnation of water in the area of the root system.
- Watering. Since sanguinaria has the property of storing moisture in the rhizome, the short-term drying of the soil is not terrible for it. If the summer period turned out to be especially dry, and the temperature indicators are high, then irrigation is recommended at least once every 7-14 days.
- Fertilizers. It is best for sanguinaria as top dressing to mulch the soil, since the root system is located on the surface of the soil or close to it, which will not allow digging up the substrate. Usually any organic matter is used - peat, humus or compost. If deciduous substrates are used, then preference is given to linden, maple, alder or aspen.
- Wintering sanguinaria. Since all varieties of this plant steadily tolerate a decrease in temperature and winter frosts, it is not worth covering the plantings. Even if, in the event that some of the outlets die off during the winter period, the "blood root" will quickly fill the gaps with young shoots.
- The use of sanguine when growing on a personal plot. A plant with such early flowers can be grown as an independent ground cover, since with its leaves the "blood root" creates highly decorative rugs decorated with delicate flowers. However, by the middle of the summer season, the entire green mass of sanguinaria is hidden (partially dies off), so it is recommended to plant it next to other shrubs or plantings of flowers. It can be used in phytodesign of the following flora representatives: hosts, scillas, chionodoxes, muscari and many other plants with roots in the form of small onions. Some growers plant sanguinaria next to early flowering tulips or daffodils. If there are plantations of juniper bushes, then a beautiful and interesting phytocomposition is created when the "blood root" is planted in the foreground. Often, with the help of planting this flower, they decorate rocky areas or stone gardens (rockeries), since the plant takes root very well between boulders, decoratively placed stones or on mountain slopes.
Propagation of sanguinaria by seeds and division of rhizomes
To get a new young plant of the "blood root" it is recommended to divide the overgrown rhizome or sow seeds.
Seed material is very delicate, germination properties are rather weak, as it quickly loses its qualities. Therefore, if a decision is made to carry out reproduction by the seed method, then the seeds must be sown immediately after they are harvested (end of June). Like all representatives of the poppy family, the shoots of young sanguinaria are fragile and weak, they die under direct sunlight and from drying out the soil. When sowing in seedling boxes or individual pots, garden soil is poured, then it is thoroughly moistened. The seeds are placed in a substrate and containers are placed in the shade of tree crowns or under the shelter of a hill. You will need to regularly moisten the soil when germinating the seeds. Since the seeds ripen in the summer, the pots are not immediately brought into the room.
When the seedlings hatch, they are not transplanted into open ground until two years have passed from sowing the seeds, since young sanguinaria are characterized by slow growth and weakness. The first flowering of plants obtained by the seed method can be expected only 5–6 years from the moment of planting. Seedlings should be planted in a moist and well-drained substrate.
But reproduction by dividing the overgrown rhizomes of sanguinaria is considered to be more effective. It is recommended to carry out such manipulations at the end of September, when all the foliage at the "blood root" is completely dry. If you do not wait and begin to divide the rhizome immediately after the end of the flowering process, then the survival rate of the divisions will be very small.
When the root system of an adult specimen of sanguinaria is divided, they try to ensure that each of the divisions has at least one bud, but this is not worth the risk and it is recommended that the part has at least several renewal points. Despite its reticular structure, the root system is easy to divide. When split, a bright orange-red liquid is released from the roots of a coral shade.
After the carving is done, all rhizomes should be dug in a new place. It is important to ensure that they do not protrude above the surface of the substrate, otherwise this will lead to the drying out of the divisions and their death. It is recommended to preserve all lateral root processes, since it is through them that parts of the sanguinaria will take root, since young formations will grow back only next spring.
It is possible to transplant the "blood root" both during the period of still warm autumn days, and immediately under the snow cover. In the latter case, it is necessary to completely sprinkle the roots with soil. The optimum depth to which the planting is carried out is 4–6 cm. Parts of the rhizome must be laid out in the grooves made in advance, so that the roots are down. The distance between the parts of the rhizome should be 20–30 cm. Then the soil is compressed around the cut, if the weather is dry, then abundant watering is carried out. In this case, it is important that the roots remain covered with soil.
Diseases and pests arising from the cultivation of sanguinaria
The joy for the owner of the "blood root" is that he is almost never affected by harmful insects, since sanguinaria contains poisonous substances in its parts. The same should be taken into account when robot with a plant, putting gloves on hands.
Curious notes about sanguinaria
The properties of the "blood root" have long been known to mankind, and since it has a local irritating effect, it is widely used in homeopathy. Sanguinaria is often recommended for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, nervous and circulatory systems. From the roots, which are so rich in juice, an alcoholic tincture is made.
In ancient times, the plant was widely used by shamans in their rituals, since the juice dripping from the roots looked very much like blood. In alternative medicine, this representative of the flora was valued as a remedy with antispasmodic and antibacterial properties.
To date, it is recommended to take drugs based on sanguinaria for women entering menopause, she actively fights against age-related changes in the body. Also, such remedies are used for headaches, bronchial asthma, as well as in the treatment of inflamed joints, the plant will also help with allergic reactions. Healers prescribed to take tincture of sanguinaria for bouts of anger and irritation, which can appear even in people with a calm character, if a person has a pronounced surge of negative emotions that can provoke dizziness or vomiting. Drugs based on the "blood root" will help with memory impairment, stupor and delayed reaction, insomnia that occurs due to bad thoughts, and negative addictions that intoxicate the brain. When a person develops severe pain in the back of the head, rising up the back from the neck to the forehead, healers recommend taking sanguinaria.
It should be remembered how any medicine, preparations made on the basis of the roots of this plant, have their own contraindications. These include:
- pregnancy;
- the patient's age is up to 16 years;
- people who have an individual intolerance to the drug;
- violation of the dosage or the use of the remedy without the recommendation and consultation of the attending homeopathic physician.
Varieties of sanguinaria
- "Multiplex", differs in flowers with a large number of pointed petals, arranged in several rows.
- Flore Pleno. A plant with a height of 15–20 cm, quickly forming a dense cover of a green hue with its carved toothed leaves. The diameter of the flower is 7.5 cm. The plant is suitable for growing in zone 4 (it is winter hardy). Unlike the previous variety, the petals are wider and the shape of the flower itself is hemispherical.
- Tennesee Form also differs in unpretentiousness and winter hardiness. The shape of the flowers is non-double - anemone. Such a variety begins to bloom at the same time as primroses and other early flowering plants, immediately after the snow cover disappears and when the soil warms up a little. When the sangwtnaria just ascended, its leaves look like shaggy cones, resembling pupae, with a gray color. Over time, the leaf plates begin to unfold and acquire a bluish-green tint. Their shape is almost round, but there is jaggedness along the edge. The leaves reach 15-18 cm in height. Then the flowering process begins, in which the buds open, exposing the snow-white petals, which show a yellow core. The diameter of the flower is 5–7 cm, while the stem, with which they are crowned, measures 20–25 cm. The flowers have a faint aroma.
- "Pink Form" (Pink Form). It is a rather rare plant with non-double-shaped flowers, in which the petals are of a delicate pinkish color. This variety is recommended to be planted in partial shade, under the paws of conifers, ferns or other large perennial plants, since petals may burn out in the sun.
More about sanguinaria in the following video:
