Wild Bleeding Heart Dicentra eximia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Dielytra eximia
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-SEN-trah eks-IH-mee-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Fringed bleeding heart is a beautiful, native perennial plant occurring on forest floors, rocky woods and ledges in the Appalachian Mountains. It prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil and does not like wet winter soil. The fern-like foliage and blooms appear in spring and bloom time can continue into summer. In hot climates, it may stop blooming in summer and rebloom in fall.
It can naturalize by seed dispersal by ants if happy so it does well in naturalized areas, native, rock and shade gardens. All parts of this plant are toxic if consumed in large quantities. This plant is classified as a NC Significantly Rare species.
Family name Papaveraceae (formerly Fumariaceae)
Quick ID Hints:
- Heart-shaped pink to purple flowers
- Fernlike, finely dissected, ternately decompound leaves
- Inflorescence erect-spreading, flowers pendulous
Herbaceous perennial to 1.5', arching habit.
Blooms late spring to fall; lacy foliage are fern-like in appearance; flower scapes bear numerous "hearts"; used in perennial garden, rock gardens, shade garden.
Prefers moist, partial shade with good drainage; tolerates full sun if given plenty of water; pest/disease problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Dolly Sods'
- 'Luxuriant'
Bluish green leaves and deep pink, small flowers
- 'Dolly Sods'
- 'Dolly Sods', 'Luxuriant'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Dolly Sods'
- 'Luxuriant'
Bluish green leaves and deep pink, small flowers
- 'Dolly Sods'
- 'Dolly Sods', 'Luxuriant'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dicentra
- Species:
- eximia
- Family:
- Papaveraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- PA & WV, s. to NC & TN in mountains
- Distribution:
- GA , IL , MA , MD , MI , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit a many-seeded capsule. Fruit becomes available July-August
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 1/2 inch heart-shaped flowers in an elongated, terminal cluster are white or pale to deep pink. Bloom time is April to July with a possible fall bloom period. Erect-spreading, scapose or axillary raceme with secund flowers. Pink to purple, pendulous; sepals 2, minute; outer petals 2, heart-shaped, laterally compressed, pouched and spurred at base with tips reflexed; inner petals white and exserted.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 2-pinnately divided with the ultimate segments deeply lobed and fern-like. Basal leaves ternately decompound and dissected, stem leaves dissected; fernlike and long-petioled.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Acaulescent or with upright stem.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- 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 if eaten in large quantities. Skin irritation after repeated contact with the cell sap is mild and short-lasting.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Several isoquinolone alkaloids.c
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Stems
