Adaptation
Bloodroot is very common in most regions in North America.
In areas that were once clear cut years ago, it was much more
difficult for some plants like bloodroot to grow
back.
This is because bloodroot relies on ants to help disperse the
seeds. Even though vegetation has grown back, humans still
use most of this area. Ants have a hard time transporting
these seeds in places that were paved by humans and they also
can't carry the seeds far. Because of this, bloodroot now
grows mainly in areas that are more isolated.
Since bloodroot grows early in the spring, conditions can change
dramatically. For instance, if the temperature is l
ess than 8
degrees Celsius, the flowers do not open. If there isn't
enough sunlight due to clouds, there will be a delay in when the
flowers open and close. In bad weather and at night, the
petals fold inward to protect the reproductive organs. When it
comes to adapting, the structure of bloodroot is very efficient.
The anthers and stigma of bloodroot are close enough together so
that it is capable of cross-pollinating, incase it does not get
pollinated by a bee.
