Each flower has 2
sepals which fall away quickly, 8-12 waxy white
sepals and numerous stamens. As it unfolds it
reveals the flower bud, terminally borne on a
leafless stalk.
March-May
Leaf is rounded,
with an irregular margin and deeply cut, wavy
lobes
The sap, the
rhizomes and the stems are red.
The sap of this plant contains a bitter-tasting
toxic alkaloid which affects the heart, nervous
system and muscles. In some cases it has caused
death. The Indians used the red sap as a dye and
war paint.
