Squirrel Corn Dicentra canadensis

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Dicentra

  Species:

  canadensis

  Family:

  Papaveraceae

  Life Cycle:

  Perennial

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  SE. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A.

  Distribution:

  CT , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV

  Wildlife Value:

  Squirrels and mice are attracted to the root tubers

  Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):

  Deer and rabbit resistant

  Dimensions:

  Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 5 in.

  Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Native Plant

  Poisonous

  Wildflower

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Habit/Form:

  Arching

  Erect

  Growth Rate:

  Medium

  Maintenance:

  Low

• Cultural Conditions:

  Light:

  Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)

  Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)

  Soil Texture:

  High Organic Matter

  Soil pH:

  Acid (<6.0)

  Soil Drainage:

  Good Drainage

  Moist

  Available Space To Plant:

  Less than 12 inches

  NC Region:

  Coastal

  Mountains

  Piedmont

  USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

  4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b

• Fruit:

  Fruit Color:

  Brown/Copper

  Display/Harvest Time:

  Summer

  Fruit Type:

  Capsule

  Fruit Description:

  1/2 inch drooping seed capsules are a somewhat flattened oval. Each capsule divides into 2 parts to release several seeds. Fruits are available in June.

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  Pink

  White

  Flower Inflorescence:

  Raceme

  Flower Value To Gardener:

  Fragrant

  Showy

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Spring

  Flower Shape:

  Urn

  Flower Petals:

  fused petals

  Flower Size:

  < 1 inch

  Flower Description:

  Flowers hang upside down on a 6-8 inch arching stem in an elongated terminal cluster of 4-8 blooms. Flowers are white to very pale pink, heart-shaped and 0.5 in. long with 2 spurs on the upper side. Flowers bloom April-May.

• Leaves:

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Leaf Feel:

  Smooth

  Leaf Type:

  Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)

  Leaf Arrangement:

  Other/more complex

  Leaf Shape:

  Deltoid

  Leaf Margin:

  Entire

  Hairs Present:

  No

  Leaf Length:

  > 6 inches

  Leaf Width:

  3-6 inches

  Leaf Description:

  Basal leaves are triangular in shape and thrice divided to give them a lacy effect. They are pale and waxy underneath. They are 5 to 9 inches long and 3 to 7 inches wide.

• Stem:

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Woodland

  Landscape Theme:

  Butterfly Garden

  Native Garden

  Pollinator Garden

  Shade Garden

  Design Feature:

  Small groups

  Attracts:

  Bees

  Butterflies

  Small Mammals

  Songbirds

  Resistance To Challenges:

  Deer

  Rabbits

  Problems:

  Poisonous to Humans

• Poisonous to Humans:

  Poison Severity:

  Low

  Poison Symptoms:

  Trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, labored breathing only if large quantities are eaten. Skin irritation after repeated contact with the cell sap. The reaction is mild and lasts for a few minutes

  Poison Toxic Principle:

  Several isoquinolone alkaloids.

  Causes Contact Dermatitis:

  No

  Poison Part:

  Flowers

  Leaves

  Roots

  Sap/Juice

  Seeds

  Stems