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Squirrel-corn

Dicentra canadensis

Photo by SarahWhitt
Published on Project Noah
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39.3254, -82.3604

Field Notes

Description:

A common spring wildflower. It is often confused with Dutchman's Breeches, which grows in a similar habitat and often side by side. Leaves of the two are nearly identical, but Squirrel-corn's flowers are heart-shaped. Its common name comes from its yellowish root nodules, which resemble corn and which squirrels often dig up for food. Closely related to the Bleeding Heart.

Habitat:

Moist woodland, deep soils.

Species ID Suggestions

Squirrel Corn

Dicentra canadensis
Anne Marie McCaffrey
1

Comments (5)
SarahWhitt
It took me a while to identify this plant/flower. I thought it was a wild bleeding heart at first & then searched a bit more and found it in a flower book I have. Believe it's quite an interesting name....and the fact that squirrels actually eat the little roots (that resemble corn).
SarahWhitt
Oh....Anne Marie.....Thank you for the Scientific name!! I don't have any idea why I listed this as Papaveraceae for the name! That belongs to the Poppies!! Musta had a "senior moment".....Again, Thank You!! I will edit now!! :)
Anne Marie McCaffrey
If you would like to see the pink species... http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/11497266
Anne Marie McCaffrey
I had never heard the name "Squirrel Corn" before - what a funny name. There is a pink one on the Pacific coast known as Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa). I just photographed some yesterday - I will post the photo if you'd like to see...

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Flowers of North America
Photographed
PublishedApril 30, 2011

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