This monotypic genus is widespread in mesic woods of eastern North America, but concentrated on base-rich soils. In the central Bluegrass, Short (1828-9) noted: "No plant is more commonly met with in early spring, in this vicinity, than the puccoon, by which name it is universally recognised. Perhaps no wild plant better deserves cultivation than this... highly medicinal, being emetic, expectorant and escharotic. It prefers rich, moist, shaded woods, and in such situations it is every where abundant in the spring..." Sanguinaria has apparently declined much in this region, being now largely restricted to rocky ravines near larger watercourses. Flowering occurs during mid-Mar to mid-Apr, about the same time as Hepatica, Jeffersonia. Erigenia and other early white-flowered species.