Give me a sign, any sign, that winter is over. Here in North Carolina, that sign is Sanguinaria canadensis, commonly known by the sinister-sounding name Bloodroot. As soon as we get a bit of warm weather, in late February or early march, Bloodroot emerges and graces us with magnificent blooms of dainty white flowers. It is … Continue reading
Mexican prickly poppy, Argemone mexicana, is, oddly enough, prickly. It is native to Mexico and parts of the American Southwest, but has also found homes throughout the world, particularly India. I’ll get straight to the point: it’s a weed. I’ve seen them in New Mexico, and it seems to thrive in dry, barren soil in ditches and … Continue reading
Nature's Poisons 