Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) is a graceful and easily recognizable wildflower in spring often found on gorges, valleys, ledges, slopes, rock forests, forest floors, and streams throughout most of the United States.
Dutchman’s breeches are perennial herbs in the Fumariaceae family[1] native to eastern North America’s rich forests. This plant has also known by many common names, including Bleeding Heart and Little Blue Staggers.
It features deeply incised grayish-green fern foliage and clusters of waxy white flowers (rarely pink) with a yellow pantaloon-shaped tip with the ankles pointing upward.
The blooms are borne in a hanging row of leafless stems that arch over the leaves in early spring. Plants generally can reach heights of up to 12-inches, with flower stalks and basal leaves that rise directly from a scaly pattern.
