Isn't this flower just beautiful? The Bloodroot flower can appear shy, hiding in one of its leaves that wrap around like a cape. It is not really shy, it is just waiting for the right temperature or even the warmth of the sunlight to reach it, then it will reveal itself to all of us who admire its beauty. I think that one of the interesting characteristics of this plant is its ability to self-pollinate. The flowers usually last about three days. At the end of the three days, if the insects have not passed the pollen from the stamen to the stigma, the flower takes matters into its own hands. The stamen at this time move inward toward the stigma in hope that some of their pollen will reach the stigma and thus starting the process of making seeds for the next season. We walk in the woods admiring these beauties ... but thinking them quite without goals and intelligence, not realizing that as we pass they maybe moving silently to accomplish one of its most important tasks.... pollination.
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