Bloodroot

I live on a ridge, elevation 800 or so above sea level, surrounded by farms and orchards.  A man has been working on cutting down the deadwood in the small woods next to my road and driveway over the winter.  When the weather warmed, I came up the road and saw this cluster of flowers on the roadside where none have ever been before.  It was really pretty.  It has also been catching quite a bit of attention from others as they drive around Dead Man's Curve.  So, today I finally went out and took some pictures.  Actually I'd thought they were crocuses as I drove by at lightspeed.  I was surprised then, on closer inspection that they were not.  At first, I thought May Apple.  Then realized that the flower was all wrong for that.  So, looked in my book and thought it was Jeffersonia - or Twin Leaf.  Then, went out again and took another look, and the leaf was wrong.  FINALLY, took some pictures, put them on the computer and compared them to my book on wildflowers.  What a surprise for me that they are Bloodroot.  I've never seen this plant before in my life.  And I'm a person who likes to go traipsing in the woods and identifying things I find.  And I've been at it a long time.

Anyway, thought you might like to  know a little about Bloodroot.  Says Native Americans used to use the red sap from the underground stems as a dye for baskets, clothing and war paint.  In addition, it works as an insect repellant.   Also, interestingly enough, it is a member of the poppy family.  I also have wild poppies (corn poppies I think they are called) that I've been encouraging to grow in my own garden.  Pictures of them, next month.   I thought Bloodroot would tie in with needlework because the plant was used to make dye.  Sorry I haven't been on much about what I'm stitching.  Life has sort of overtaken me with client's work and other things.  I am working currently on Quaker something or other by Ellen Chester.  Over one!  Saves thread that way.