Dicentra cucullaria
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Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's breeches) is a flowering plant in the family Fumariaceae, native to North America. It occurs mainly in the eastern half of the continent, from Nova Scotia and southern Quebec west to eastern North Dakota, and south to northern Georgia and eastern Oklahoma; there is also a disjunct population in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. It typically grows in rich woods. The common name Dutchman's breeches derives from their white flowers that look like white breeches.
It is a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 15-40 cm. The leaves are 10-36 cm long and 4-18 cm broad, with a petiole up to 15 cm long; they are trifoliate, with finely divided leaflets. The flowers appear during spring; they are white, 1-2 cm long, and are born on flower stalks 12-25 cm long. Both the leaf stalks and the flower stalks rise from an underground, scaly bulb.
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 plants in the east in the Appalachians (Flora N America).
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 may cause contact dermatitis in some people.
See also
- Dicentra canadensis (Squirrel Corn), a similar-looking plant
- Dicentra eximia (Turkey Corn or Wild Bleeding heart), another similar-looking plant.
- Dutchman's pipe, an unrelated plant with a similar name.
External links
- [Flora of North America: Dicentra cucullaria]
- [Missouriplants: Dicentra cucullaria]
- [USDA plants profile]
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