Nearctica - Eastern Wildflowers - Fumariaceae - Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Dutchman's Breeches

(Dicentra cucullaria)

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

Dicentra canadensis

Dutchman's Breeches is most likely to be confused with Squirrel Corn. The flower spurs of Squirrel Corn are rounded and do not project upward on either side of the flower.

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Identification: Flowers white, waxy with elongate flower spurs projecting on either side of the flower. Flowers in a spike and hanging downward with the flower spurs projecting upward. Leaves heavily divided, slightly irregular in shape. Roots consisting of a cluster of small, white tubers. Plant 5 to 10 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout most of easteren North America. Also found in the plains region and the Pacific Northwest.

Habitat: Dutchman's Breeches is found in rich, moist woods.

Flowering period: April to May.

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Similar Species:

Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis)

Similar Species