Plants in genus Dicentra: The most common and well-known is the Dutchman's' Breeches (shown above, D. cucullaria), though the rarer Squirrel Corn (D. canadensis) and Bleeding Heart (commonly found in nurseries) are also seen on occasion. Poppy (Papaveraceae) Family.

Commentary: The Dutchman's Breeches is readily identified by its early-blooming flowers, which resemble trousers hanging upside-down from a vertical clothesline. The Squirrel Corn has the same white flowers shaped like flattened acorns and smaller than an acorn. Any species I've ever seen of this genus can be identified by the small yellow reproductive parts at the base of the flower, though they can be greatly elongated in Bleeding Heart, which is identified by its heart-shaped red flowers suspended in a row. Each plant has dainty, almost feather-like leaves in clusters of three (below). One cluster of plants almost always has multiple stacks of flowers.

I have seen Squirrel Corn in our neighborhood but once, and I was unable to find it to photograph for this project. I did locate some Bleeding Heart flowers in a pile of leaves and sticks, though this may be garden refuse I found. Bleeding Heart is sold at Samuelson's Nursery on Rt. 2 along with some hybrid Dicentra plants.

Duthchmans' Breeches prefers to grow in protected places, such as at the base of trees, where it is found almost exclusively. It particularly likes to grow in the fjord-like areas at the base of mature beeches and maples where the forest floor is otherwise relatively open. I have even seen one plant establish itself against the pole of an abandoned swing set. Breeches is found almost exclusively in beech/maple forests, where it associates with Larkspur, Cut-Leaved Toothwort, Adder's Tongue, Violets, Rubus genus plants, and Prairie Trillium.

Neither Breeches nor Squirrel Corn likes to be disturbed, so transplantation is difficult, but not insurmountable. Be sure to plant it at the base of some protected area such as a tree. Dig deep to get the whole plant's rootball, though try not to disturb the host tree. Take care of the plant as it becomes increasingly rare. Pepoon (1927) stated of Dutchman's Breeches: "Rapidly approaching extermination. Does not take kindly to domestic surroundings." Allow bumblebees to pollinate.

Precautions and Uses: The bulb has been used as a blood purifier after being dried.

Soil Preferences: pH 6.0-8.0

References: Klimas & Cunningham n25-25a, n193, Wamper & Wampler 6, Swink & Wilhelm 302, Pepoon n827-8, 313, Peattie 194-5. Peattie mislabeled Fig. 16 on p. 195 as Squirrel Corn; it is really Dutchman's Breeches (See Swink & Wilhelm p. 302).

Go Home.