The lovely white flowers of bloodroot are among the first to appear in spring. The orangish-red root can be used to make dye and, though toxic if consumed, has some medicinal properties. A number of bees and other insects that become active early in the year visit the flowers for pollen. The flowers are delicate and bloom only briefly for about two weeks. The round, lobed foliage persists much longer than other spring ephemerals, but the plant typically goes dormant by summer. Bloodroot grows best in rich, humusy soil in areas that receive some sun in the spring but are mostly shaded the rest of the year. If shade is permanent year round due to buildings or other structures, the plants won't really thrive. The seed is mainly dispersed by ants and the occasional native plant nursery.