Dicentra cucullaria

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dicentra cucullaria

Family: (Papaveraceae)

Native perennial to 12″.  Dutchman’s Breeches.  This easily recognized spring ephemeral typically occurs on forest floors, slopes, ledges, valleys and along stream banks, emerging in March and flowering in early April.  Foliage is greyish green and deeply-cut with a fern-like appearance.   Racemes of waxy, white (infrequently tinged with pink), yellow-tipped flowers have two inflated spurs that suggest the legs of tiny pantaloons with the ankles facing upward.  Flowers are borne in pairs, drooping from leafless stems arching above the foliage.  Self-sows when happy and enjoys part to full shade in humus-rich, woodland soil.  4 & T2