Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's Breeches)
| 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 |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | none |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/dicentra-cucullaria-42.jpg)
3 to 14 white, occasionally pink, stalked flowers hanging down in a raceme at the end of a naked stem that rises above the leaves. The raceme may be erect but often leans or arches over. Individual flowers are about ¾ inch long with 2 opposing spurs that give the flower a triangular to arrowhead shape in outline. There are 2 pale yellow lobes at the base of the flower that open up like wings, revealing the stamens and style.
Leaves and stems:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/dutchmans-britches_0506_165007.jpg)
Leaves are basal, usually 2 per flowering stem, compound, thrice divided into lacy, narrowly oblong to linear segments. Leaflets are up to 1¼ inch long and 1 inch wide; leaf color is gray-green to bluish-green. Stems are smooth and usually brown.
Fruit:
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/dutchmans-breeches_0427_111802.jpg)
Fruit is a bean-like capsule about ½ inch long and tapering at both ends. Inside are kidney-shaped seeds about 2 millimeters long.
Notes:
A widespread species in Minnesota, Dutchman's Breeches is one of the heralds of spring. Similar species is Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis), which is limited to the southeast corner of the state and has virtually identical leaves but more heart-shaped flowers with rounded spurs.
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More photos
Dutchman's Breeches plants
Dutchman's Breeches habitat
pink tinged flowersPhotos by K. Chayka taken at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Anoka County. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken near Reshanau Lake, Anoka County, and in Goodhue County.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2009-05-13 10:45:55
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.
on: 2010-05-05 02:58:34
Saw the first bloom on 5/3/10.
on: 2010-05-24 15:10:39
they are there in early spring! have to look close they are so small
on: 2011-05-04 19:11:28
05/04/2011 Many in bloom at the Zumbrota covered bridge park
on: 2011-05-04 21:46:32
CP Adams Park (in scientific and natural area on roadside)
on: 2012-04-08 14:25:19
They are blooming in the lower camping grounds SE corner at the base of big trees
on: 2012-04-27 19:51:43
How hardy if these plants are move.
on: 2012-04-28 09:31:15
Tess, if you transplant when they are dormant they should do fine in their new location, assuming it's a suitable habitat.
on: 2012-05-04 09:31:48
Found these growing throughout Glendalough State Park (Battle Lake, Minnesota)in the woods April 30th-May 3rd 2012
on: 2012-05-31 17:43:35
Beautiful to see in the early spring. A walk in the woods and a view of early flowering plants can make anyone happy
on: 2013-05-12 08:29:16
Found by my great granddaughter. Sat May 11th. Really beautiful.
on: 2013-05-13 07:51:22
Abundant on South end of bluff trails in Frontenac State Park, 12 May 2013. Some blooms are done - maybe 1 week of display left. Blooms are much less luxuriant than in past years - perhaps due to the unusually cold April with multiple "restarts" of warm-up and melting, only to have it snow again. Flowers are small but exquisite, typically in rows of 5 or so on a single stem.
on: 2013-05-26 14:12:56
Many of these blooming on Oberg Mountain today. One of the few ground-covering plants that are.
on: 2014-02-03 12:10:18
I have, as well as do most Minnesotans, Dutchman's Breeches growing in our areas. The leaves are quite telling as well as the flower. My confusion is comparing the leaf of the Dutchman's Breeches with the leaf of the Dicentra canadensis (squirrel corn). They appear identical in your photos. Can you clarify this for me? Thank you.
on: 2014-02-03 12:22:04
Pat, the foliage is pretty much identical between the two species; observe the flowers to distinguish one from the other. Having said that, squirrel corn is limited to the SE counties so where in the state you see these leaves will help with an ID, too.
on: 2015-04-13 14:01:34
Saw them growing on a hillside on the north side of the lake in the park. What a cool surprise!
on: 2015-04-17 16:02:08
I just purchased two plants. Is it okay to plant now (April 17)or should I keep them in my flower shed until the weather is consistently warmer. I have the right kind of soil and habitat. Thank you in advance.
on: 2015-04-19 12:46:24
Plant it, Bonny - this species actively grows and blooms at this time of year, not when the ground is warmer.
on: 2015-04-24 10:54:49
They are blooming by the bike path on the west side of Lake Harriet as of April 24,2015. There's even a pink one. I have a patch of white Dutchman's Breeches in my garden that I moved from my childhood home. They are a cheery sign of spring, but you need to keep track of their location, because they disappear soon after blooming.
on: 2016-04-16 10:50:38
Pat's Grove County Park has several hundred plants.
on: 2016-04-28 23:48:27
There is a beautiful colony of these plants on the slopes of the river valley near the ponds. Bloodroot, Anemones, Marsh Marigolds and Skunk Cabbage plants are all nearby too. A riot of color!
on: 2017-04-24 17:30:27
I have foliage and they used to bloom. Why did they stop & how can I get them to bloom again?
on: 2017-04-25 19:19:08
This is the first time I've ever seen this. Was walking around the lake path and looked down to see a small patch of these beauties!
on: 2017-06-29 11:48:50
Have a small patch and want to move them-have found a bunch of pinkish corms where they grow-is that the basis of the plant?Was planning to just dig all the soil out in the area and transplant it all-as i am not sure what to look for once the leaves have died back. Have loved these since I first saw them on Grandma's farm in Bemidji and around my home in rural madison area. the patch I have are volunteers.
on: 2018-05-02 14:58:42
These are in bloom in abundance all over the trails at Oxbow Park in Byron, MN this week! Especially along the Zumbro Trail and Maple Trail. And along parts of the Yeager and other trails. But particularly the woody trails that follow the river.
on: 2018-05-10 22:27:23
Found this blooming in the woods at Camp Courage near Cedar Lake.
on: 2019-04-29 01:12:19
Found all along the trails between Minnihaha Falls and Pike Island.
on: 2019-04-29 09:48:50
I planted Dutchman breeches years ago. A few leaves come up but that is all. What can I do to get them to grow & bloom? They are in the shade.
on: 2020-04-22 21:07:58
I spotted a single Dutchman's Breeches blooming at Root River Park. In the coming weeks there should be a lot more, I have seen them in more abundance in early May there.
on: 2020-04-22 21:49:53
Stopped mowing our wooded lawn, and these little guys popped up from beneath the leaves (which we also didn't rake). The neighbors might grump, but we're letting things go in a moderate way. Happy to learn these are flowers, because they're everywhere suddenly.
on: 2020-04-29 11:48:03
There is Dutchman's Breeches blooming at Steinberg Park, along the Blufftop Trial. The blooms are pink/purple.
on: 2020-05-03 07:58:40
Thousands on a wooded island, blooming right now! Always a fun little find in spring!
on: 2021-04-15 19:26:42
Millions blooming
on: 2021-04-17 18:36:16
Found these sprouting up in a few locations along our backyard that edges with the Sakatah State Trail
on: 2021-04-18 04:35:43
Spotted April 17 Zumbro south bike trail Rochester MN
on: 2021-04-19 12:55:37
Lots of these were blooming in the woods on 04-18-2021 Along the Root River bike trail between Preston and Lanesboro.
on: 2021-04-20 00:43:26
I have many blooming on my 2-1/2 acre wooded property - they seemed a little early this year. Are they related to orchids?
on: 2021-04-20 06:55:27
Denise, dutchman's breeches are not related to orchids.
on: 2021-04-24 15:04:55
We spotted these this week at Camden State Park along the River Trail, and many, many of them at Shetek State Park on Loon Island.
on: 2021-05-01 07:51:23
Many are in bloom next to some early bluebells!
on: 2021-05-07 22:56:51
I saw it first time last spring by some old trees and creek. In a shady area by some scrill. A great joy to see in its natural habitat