| Dicentra | |
|---|---|
| Dicentra cucullaria (type species) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Fumariaceae |
| Genus: | Dicentra Bernh. |
| Species | |
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See text. |
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| Synonyms | |
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Diclytra Borkh. nom. rej.[1] |
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Dicentra (bleeding-heart; Greek dís "twice", kéntron "spur") is a genus of 8 species of perennial herbaceous plants in the fumitory family, many with heart-shaped flowers, native to eastern Asia and North America.
Contents |
Flowers have two tiny sepals and four petals. The petals are bisymmetric: the two outer ones are spurred or pouched at the base and curved outwards or backwards at the tip, and the two inner ones are straight and connected at the tip.
In Dicentra, all leaves are in a basal rosette and flowers are on leafless stalks. In other genera with bisymmetric heart-shaped flowers (Lamprocapnos, Dactylicapnos, Ichtyoselmis, Ehrendorferia), leaves grow on flower stalks as well as from the base.
Each of the two compound stamens is composed of four stamens fused together. The stamens and pistil are held between the inner petals.
Seeds with elaiosomes are borne in long pods.
All parts are poisonous if ingested.
There are several hybrids and cultivars involving Dicentra eximia, Dicentra formosa, and Dicentra peregrina, including:
Hybrids involving Dicentra peregrina are often intolerant of hot-humid climates and sun like the species itself.
17 species in 4 genera were formerly included in "Dicentra":
Dactylicapnos Wall. (13 species of herbaceous climbers with yellow flowers, Himalaya to SW China)
Lamprocapnos Endlicher (1 species of leafy herb with large pink flowers in horizontal racemes, NE China, Korea)
Ehrendorferia Lidén (2 species of erect robust leafy herbs with yellow or cream erect flowers, Western N America)
Ichtyoselmis Lidén (1 species of large leafy herb with serrate leaflets and large drooping cream flowers, China, Burma)