Species PlantsDutchman's Breeches

Dutchman's Breeches

Dicentra cucullaria

CommonPlant
Illustration of Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Dutchman's Breeches is a spring ephemeral wildflower with finely divided, fernlike leaves and unique flowers shaped like upside-down pantaloons. It blooms for only a few weeks in April before the forest canopy closes. Bumblebee queens are the primary pollinators, piercing the spurs to access nectar. The seeds are dispersed by ants via elaiosomes.

Habitat
Rich moist deciduous forest floors in eastern North America
Diet
Nectar accessed by bumblebee queens; seeds dispersed by ants
How common
Common

Best time to see a Dutchman's Breeches

The best time to see a Dutchman's Breeches is April, when about 70% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 36,970 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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