Bleeding Heart or Dutchman's Breeches

This genus consists of about 8 species but like many others, was once larger. In recent decades with the evolution of DNA testing, species and genera have been shifting widely. Some of what used to be Dicentra species are now to be found in other genera such as Dactylicapnos, Ichtyoselmis, Ehrendorferia and Lamprocapnos.

Dicentra canadensis Squirrel  Corn
D. chrysantha Golden Eardrops

D. cucullaria

Dutchman's Breeches

D. eximia Fringed or Plumed Bleeding Heart
D. formosa Western Bleeding Heart,
Pacific Bleeding Heart
D. spectabilis Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart
* Note: Dicentra spectabilis has been recently renamed by the taxonomists. It is now known as Lamprocapnos spectabilis.

PGC-P-Dicentra-spectabilis-2010-13

Species Hgt
(in)
Flower
Color
Dormant
in Summer?
Inflorescence
Branched?
D. eximia 9-18 Rose-pink No Yes
D. spectabilis 18-24 Rose-pink Yes No

* Guides and Keys are from the book "Herbaceous Perennial Plants A Treatise on their Identification, Culture and Garden Attributes" by Dr Allan M. Armitage of the University of Georgia. Varsity Press, Athens, Georgia. 1989 ISBN 0-942375-00. More on Dr Armitage and his other books.

 

 
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