Dutchman’s Breeches   Dicentra cucullaria
From the Open Files of: Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center
Contributed by: Rev. Dr. Loretta Kuse & Dr. Hildegard Kuse
This file is available in: Word .doc, .rtf, .pdf Pictures available in .jpg 1,2,3,4,5

Dutchman’s Breeches   Dicentra cucullaria

Dutchman's Breeches

Dutchman’s Breeches

This wildflower blooms in rich woods from April to May.  The four to ten Dutchman’s Breeches flowers are attached to a leafless stalk. It is a member of the Poppy Family.  The scientific name Dicentra comes from the Greek meaning “two spurred”.  Nectar pockets inside the two spurs or petals have tubes leading to them.  The proboscis of the early bumblebee is long enough to reach the nectar.  Two other petals protect the anthers and stigma and the flower has two small sepals.   Cucullaria is from the Latin meaning “hooded”. 

Close up of Dutchman's Breeches

Close-up - Dutchman’s Breeches Flower

 

The small white flowers resemble pairs of pantaloons or breeches that have been hung up to dry.
In April and May before leaves come out on the trees the Dutchman’s Breeches takes advantage of the abundant sunshine and rises from the ground and blooms.  It is a spring ephemeral.  By the middle of the summer the plants disappear.
The plants do well on rocky hillsides where they are sheltered from the wind.
            The bluish or grayish-green compound leaves are deeply divided and ferny in appearance.  The plant grows from four to ten inches high.

Dutchman's Breeches Leaves

Dutchman’s Breeches Leaves

 

            The divided bulbs are covered with little scales.  They and the leaves contain a toxic alkaloid.

Dutchman’s  Breeches Roots

Dutchman’s  Breeches Roots

 

            Seeds develop in a long, slender, pointed pod with two parts in it.  It contains from ten to twenty seeds.

Dutchman’s Breeches Seeds

Dutchman’s Breeches Seeds

 

 



[ WILDFLOWER MEDITATIONS AND INFORMATION ]• [ HOME ]

© Copyright 2005 by the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center.
Please see our usage policy.
NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center