Disfigurment or Diaphaneity

Taken at Sieberling Nature Realm - Akron, OH

When I originally took this photo, I wasn't certain what the flower was but imagine my surprise that I found it as the very first flower listed on Ohio's Department of Natural Resources site as bloodroot (otherwise known as bloodwort).

Bloodwort is a medicinal herb of some controversy--Native Americans used this as an emetic, however this use is not advised as it can be adversely harmful if ingested. Others have used a paste of bloodwort against the skin to assist with curing certain cancers, however when the paste is applied directly to the skin, it can cause disfigurement.

How delicate that balance can be between beauty and disfigurement even in nature...