Sanguinaria is a small herbaceous plant of the poppy family. It got its name thanks to the juice, similar to blood, which appears when the root or base of the stem is damaged (sangvis - blood). The homeland of the plant is the southern areas of Canada and the east of the United States, where it can be found in the natural environment. Grows in moist shady forests.
Description
The herbaceous perennial has a very massive root. The thickness of the base of the root system is capable of reaching 2 cm in diameter and branches like a spruce branch. Each year, the root is lengthened by 5-10 cm, the bulk of it lies in a layer at a depth of 10 cm. Interstitials are formed on the roots, from which buds and ground shoots are formed. For 3-4 years, the plant spreads significantly on the surface of the earth.
Young shoots form contractile roots that help to spread and take root. The ground part is small, consists of one leaf and a snow-white flower. In the natural environment, sanguine has a simple (single-row) structure of eight petals. They are symmetrical and have a rounded edge. The smell of flowers does not spread. The diameter of one flower is about 7 cm.
Sanguinaria blooms early, the leaf and bud appear during the snowmelt and continue to persist for a month. Cold weather helps to continue flowering, while early warm spring can reduce the flowering period to two weeks.
As a result of spontaneous mutations, terry varieties appeared in nature. In their buds, there are many pointed petals that are arranged in several rows and often hide the core. Finding them in vivo, botanists transferred plants to greenhouses for subsequent cultivation.
During flowering, the height of the sanguinaria does not exceed 15 cm. A large leaf is wrapped around the peduncle, which gives an elegant look. After the bud withers, the plant stretches up to 30 cm in height, and a dark green round leaf unfolds. The leaf plate is dense, with a vein relief, its color changes from dark green to bluish-gray. It resembles a heart with slightly torn edges.
Seeds ripen by the end of June, but are characterized by low germination. Small red peas are located in an elongated multifaceted box.
Varieties of Sanguinaria
The most famous sanguine canadianso named after the habitat. It features beautiful carved leaves with 3-9 blades. The width of the leaf is 15 cm. The green plate is covered with yellowish rays of veins, which have a red tint from the bottom. Petioles are short reddish.
In the hollows of snow appear flowers with a diameter of 7-7.5 cm with oval white or slightly pink petals. Eight petals frame a light yellow core. Flowering lasts about 3 weeks, after which the foliage lives until mid-July.
Cultural forms have terry inflorescences, so they are united by the name terry sanguine. Some compare lush flowers with a water lily, others with chrysanthemum. But in any case, it is difficult to tear oneself away from delicate snow-white buds, especially in the spring, when nature only wakes up and does not please with an abundance of inflorescences. The most popular varieties are:
- multiplex - has many narrow petals in several rows;
- captive flora - fairly wide petals with a sharp edge, form a lush flower.
Breeding
Sanguinaria is propagated by dividing the rhizome and sowing seeds. The seeds are tender, germinate not very well and quickly lose their quality, so they are sown immediately after harvest. Young shoots, like all poppy seeds, are very weak, afraid of the bright sun and drought. For seedlings, it is recommended to type moist garden soil into boxes or individual small pots. They are placed in the shade of trees or behind a hill and regularly moistened. Since the seeds ripen in summer, there is no need to bring pots directly into the room.
Seedlings are very weak and grow slowly, so they are planted on open ground only at the age of two. The first flowers are expected for 5-6 year growth of sanguinaria. Shoots are planted in moist but well-drained soil. Ideal mixture of peat and sand with the addition of deciduous substrate. Shady areas are preferred.
More easily and efficiently propagate the plant by dividing the rhizome. They perform the procedure in late September, when the foliage is completely dry. If you divide the root immediately after flowering, then the probability of success is very small. In one division of the rhizome there should be at least one kidney, but it is better to choose areas with several at once. The root is easily separated, although it has an intertwined mesh structure. Coral-colored roots liberate bloody sap.
After division, rhizomes are immediately instilled in a new place. It is important to prevent them from bulging above the surface of the soil. This will lead to drying and death of the plant. All lateral processes of the roots must be preserved, they will help the plant survive, because new formations will arise only in the spring.
Transplantation can be carried out both in the warm period of autumn, and immediately under the snow. It is only important to completely cover the roots with soil. The optimal landing depth is 4-6 cm.
Cultivation and care
The best place for planting sanguine is considered shady areas under the lush crowns of deciduous trees and shrubs. If sun rays periodically penetrate this area, water should be regularly watered, but moisture should not be allowed to stagnate. The soil for planting is chosen neutral or acidic peat. An ideal mixture is considered to be sand, deciduous substrate and humus in equal shares. Part of the humus can be doubled. Be sure to provide good drainage.
Rhizomes have the ability to store moisture, so a slight drought does not harm the plant. In the case of a prolonged dry and hot season, watering is done at least once every 1-2 weeks. Fertilize sanguinaria by mulching, since the surface network of roots does not allow digging the soil. Usually any organic fertilizers are applied (humus, compost, peat). Of the deciduous substrates, linden, maple, alder or aspen are preferred.
The plant is resistant to frost and can easily tolerate them without any shelter. Even with the death of part of the outlets, young shoots will immediately take their place.
Using
Sanguinaria is used as an independent groundcover. It is suitable for landscaping the foot of trees and shrubs. By the middle of summer, the greenery is completely hidden, so you should combine it with other bushes and flowers, so that the design of the garden retains its decorative appeal for a long time. Successfully coexists with fern, chionodox, scyl, hosta and small bulb plants. It looks interesting in the foreground of juniper bushes.
You can use sanguinaria to decorate rocky terrain. It takes root well among boulders, other decorative stones or on a hillside.
Sanguinaria has a local irritant effect and is used as a homeopathic remedy. Indications for use are diseases of the upper respiratory tract, digestive, nervous and circulatory systems. As a medical form, use alcohol tincture of the roots.
