Minnesota Wildflowers


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Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's Breeches)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:Dicentra
Family:Fumariaceae (Fumitory)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, shade; rich woods
Bloom season:April - May
Plant height:4 to 12 inches
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower: irregular raceme

[photo of flowers] 2 to 6 pairs of unusually shaped white flowers are in a spike-like raceme at the end of a naked stem that sprouts from the base of the plant. The raceme may be erect but often arches over. Individual flowers are ¾ inches long, hang down, with 2 opposing spurs that make it vaguely resemble a pair of upside down breeches, hence the common name. There are 2 pale yellow lobes at the base of the flower that open up like wings, revealing the sex organs. One plant has a single raceme of flowers.

Leaves: basal compound

[photo of leaves] Leaves are compound in groups of 3; each leaf has a brownish stem up to 6 inches long. Leaflets are up to 1¼ inch long and 1 inch wide, deeply divided into many segments, giving them a somewhat feathery appearance. A rosette of basal leaves surrounds the plant. Leaf color is grayish-green, but I think they look a bit bluish-green.

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Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Coon Rapids, MN April 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: mike h
on: 2009-05-13 10:45:55
I've got thousands of these in the woods behind my house
Posted by: Nancy in Brainerd
on: 2010-04-29 17:05:49

I have these all over my backyard. They are so pretty, I wish they came in different colors. They resemble a butterfly to me.

Posted by: Pam in Stanchfield
on: 2010-05-05 02:58:34

Saw the first bloom on 5/3/10.

Posted by: mike in camden state park lynd mn
on: 2010-05-24 15:10:39

they are there in early spring! have to look close they are so small

Posted by: L schwartz in Zumbrota
on: 2011-05-04 19:11:28

05/04/2011 Many in bloom at the Zumbrota covered bridge park

Posted by: New Flower Spotterr in Hastings-Dakota County
on: 2011-05-04 21:46:32

CP Adams Park (in scientific and natural area on roadside)

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