Wednesday, May 3, 2017


The patch of Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) covers the entire southeastern slope of the hill.  The delicate green foliage is punctuated by splashes of white and yellow.  The long white pants with their yellow belts are hanging out to dry.

A cousin of Dutchman's Breeches called Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis) has more rounded pantlegs and a purple belt.  To me, it looks more like a old english crown or bonnet (or the head dress of the Dutchess in Alice in Wonderland).

Both flowers can be found in the same area.  I searched, but can find no Squirrel Corn in the patch of Dutchman's Breeches.

Dutchman's Breeches and Squirrel Corn are exclusively pollinated by bumblebees.  They use ants to disperse their seeds.

Both produce compounds that slow the heart and nervous system.  Thus, they are sometimes grouped with other flowers called "stagger weeds" -- as livestock develop the "staggers" from grazing on the foliage.