Dicentra cucullaria
Dicentra cucullaria | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
Order: | Ranunculales |
Family: | Papaveraceae |
Subfamily: | Fumarioideae |
Tribe: | Fumarieae |
Subtribe: | Corydalinae |
Genus: | Dicentra |
Species: | D. cucullaria |
Binomial name | |
Dicentra cucullaria (L.) Bernh. | |
Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's breeches) is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to rich woods of eastern North America, with a disjunct population in the Columbia River Basin.[1]
The common name Dutchman's breeches derives from their white flowers that look like white breeches.
Description
Height is 15β40 cm. The root is a cluster of small pink to white teardrop-shaped bulblets. Leaves are 10β36 cm long and 4β18 cm broad, with a petiole up to 15 cm long; they are trifoliate, with finely divided leaflets.
Flowers are white, 1β2 cm long, and are born in spring on flower stalks 12β25 cm long.
Dutchman's breeches is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants, a process called myrmecochory. The seeds have a fleshy organ called an elaiosome that attracts ants. The ants take the seeds to their nest, where they eat the elaiosomes, and put the seeds in their nest debris, where they are protected until they germinate. They also get the added bonus of growing in a medium made richer by the ant nest debris.
The western populations have sometimes been separated as Dicentra occidentalis on the basis of often somewhat coarser growth, but do not differ from many eastern plants in the Appalachians.
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Buds
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Almost opened flowers
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Fully opened flowers
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A flower dissected, showing four petals, two stamens, and pistil
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Flowers
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Flowers
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Flowers and leaves
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Leaves
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19th century illustration
Medical uses
Native Americans and early white practitioners considered this plant useful for syphilis, skin conditions and as a blood purifier. Dutchman's breeches contains several alkaloids that may have effects on the brain and heart.
However, D. cucullaria may be toxic and causes contact dermatitis in some people.
References
- Bleeding hearts, Corydalis, and their relatives. Mark Tebbitt, Magnus LidΓ©n, and Henrik Zetterlund. Timber Press. 2008.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dicentra cucullaria. |
Wikispecies has information related to: Dicentra cucullaria |