Dicentra cucullaria, or Dutchman's breeches, is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to rich woods of eastern North America, with a disjunct population in the Columbia Basin.The common name Dutchman's breeches derives from their white flowers that look like white breeches.
Rain provides the only watering the pots need until shoots emerge in March. They then rapidly make luxuriant, yet delicate, growth. This strong head of foliage is very susceptible to drying out when strong late Winter winds blow. By the time of full flowering the plants might need generous watering every day. On the other hand if it is wet and windless, they need no watering at all.
Prefers rich, moist, humusy soils in part shade. Intolerant of wet soils in winter. This is a spring ephemeral which usually disappears from the garden by early summer (dry soils tend to hasten this process).
Like its relative squirrel corn (Dicentra canadensis), all parts of dutchman's breeches are poisonous to cats, cattle, and humans because it synthesizes the neurotoxic alkaloid isoquinoline. The underground tubers have been found to cause convulsions in cattle.
