Dutchman's Britches Dicentra cucullaria
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-SEN-trah kuk-yoo-LAIR-ee-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Dutchman's Breeches is a native perennial wildflower occurring in rich or rocky deciduous moist woods and ravines and in the mountains. This woodland perennial can spread to cover considerable areas. It prefers humus-rich, acid to neutral soils and tolerates clay soils.
In spring the basal ferny leaves appear along with a leafless arching stem bearing a row of fragrant white pantaloon-shaped flowers. It blooms in March and adds early interest to the garden. By summer the plant goes dormant. Use in woodland and shade gardens. Plant with later appearing perennials.
Propagation can be done by division of crowns or root cuttings in spring or fall. Seeds need moist cold stratification and can be slow and difficult to germinate. Seeds are spread by ants. All parts of this plant are toxic if consumed in large quantities.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dicentra
- Species:
- cucullaria
- Family:
- Papaveraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Canada to N. & E. U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The oval seed capsules taper into points at both ends. These capsules split apart into 2 segments to release many seeds. Fruits appear from May to June.
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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:
- 3/4 inch long white flowers bloom on 5-10 inch long arching leafless stems and resemble upside-down pantaloons. 2 inflated petals form spurs. Blooms March-May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The triangular-shaped greyish-green leaves are 3-6 inches long, basilar, stand upright on long stems and are deeply cut and fernlike.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are tan to reddish-brown and upright
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, labored breathing if eaten in large quantities. Skin irritation after repeated contact with the cell sap is mild and lasts a short time.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Several isoquinolone alkaloids.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
