Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a Minnesota-native woodland flower that typically blooms in late April. This photo was taken at the Sand Coulee near Hastings. Though it flowers briefly in the spring, bloodroot is not a true spring ephemeral. True spring ephemerals complete their full seasonal growing cycle in the spring, blooming and becoming dormant again before the trees leaf out and block the light from the forest floor. Unlike true ephemerals, bloodroot remains alive above ground through the summer — While its flowers quickly die, its leaves continue their work of photosynthesis and the plant remains active through the summer.

Friends of the Mississippi River has worked with Sand Coulee landowners and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to protect and restore the rare sand-gravel prairie where this photo was taken. Read more about the site in our Sand Coulee profile.