Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo

Bloodroot is one of the region’s first forest wildflowers in the spring, often appearing on exposed ground not long after snow has receded. Each flower remains open only a few days, long enough to be pollinated. Bloodroot — so named for its red sap — does not produce nectar but is considered a good early pollen source for bees emerging after spending the winter tucked away. Ants also play a role in propagating the bloodroot by taking its seeds back to the nest, eating a portion called an elaiosome, then putting the seed in nest debris where they germinate, according to botanists.