DUTCHMAN’S BREECHES
Dicentra cucullaria
FUMITORY FAMILY (Fumariaceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - April, early May
- Abundant in woodlands at both FF & NW
- White or pink flowers resembling early Dutch settler's baggy pants
- Divided, fern-like leaves
- One of our earliest spring wildflowers
This native perennial has leaves with deeply divided, fern-like leaflets (A,B). The white to pink flowers hang in line from erect or arching stems (C). They resemble the baggy pants of the early Dutch settlers. The fruit is an elongated capsule, about 1/2 inch long (G) which splits apart releasing the seeds at maturity.
This plant is abundant in woodlands of both Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods in April and early May. It is one of the first wildflowers to bloom each spring.
The “waist” of these flowers is popped open by early bumblebees (D). The nectar is found in the spurs (pant legs) and only pollinators with a long proboscis can reach it. By early summer no trace of this plant remains above ground.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.