Squirrel Corn
Dicentra canadensis
is starting to bloom in the woods around Canton, NY. This little native wildflower is related to the larger garden varieties of Bleeding Hearts.
(Due to some bug not allowing comments – I have deleted and re-posted this)
The flowers resemble Decentra spectabillis ‘Alba’ with its white blooms but the similarity ends there. It differs being much smaller, having very finely cut leaves and an unusual root. The leaves though are almost impossible to tell apart from Dutchman’s Breeches.
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Squirrel Corn gets its name from the root ‘kernels’ that resemble grains of corn. The tubers are about the size and color of a kernel of corn.
This is a common wildflower in northern NY and I see it all over my area. Unfortunately Squirrel Corn is threatened in Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut. In New Jersey it is endangered. A huge patch of Squirrel Corn can be seen along the Russel Turnpike in St. Lawrence County. Contrary to the name the turnpike is a dirt road going through some state forest land in the Town of Parishville. |
I also found some Bleeding Hearts in bloom at a local nursery. I almost took 3 of each but in the end managed to resist temptation. Bringing them home meant work to prepare a spot for them and I’ve been trying to avoid allergic reactions as much as possible this spring. But I know sooner or later I’ll have to work.
Bleeding Heart – Dicentra spectabilis
Bumble Love Embrace
White Bleeding Heart – Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’
Liberal White Flag?
I did bring home a few kernels of corm to plant in my shade garden. They should do well and in fact I’m thinking of going back and bringing home some whole plants before they bloom. The only problem is finding a spot easy to dig so as not to disturb them too much. The woods are rich and moist but very rocky and tree root ‘infested’.
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May 11th, 2009 at 2:28 am
It’s nice. I’ve never seen it grown here, so it probably needs winter.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:01 am
I wonder if the squirrel corn can be used as bait. I can see why the other plants would be called bleeding hearts.
Your woods are infested with tree roots too? I think we have an epidemic.
May 11th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Very nice. I so love the bleeding heart flower shape. That is a very picture of the white one. I have heard of squirrel corn before. Now I know to look for it.
May 11th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Hey, I have a photo of squirrel corn on my blog, too! I also love bleeding heart, but have not had look with it. And Dutchman’s breeches are another great Dicentra–a lovely genus!
May 11th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Very pretty, I would go get the whole plant too! Good luck:-D
May 11th, 2009 at 9:39 am
You camera and your skill produced such a fine detail of the bee. It held to the flower so well.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Thanks for visiting our Central (or Northern, depending on who you read) California blog, Wiseacre. We rush out with cameras if that white stuff ever falls from the sky.
We also have a native bleeding heart, Dicentra formosa, and I found it growing wild up our lane just a week or so ago. It likes shade and is not deer tolerant so I have a hard time keeping it in my garden. Your photos are lovely – the foliage very soft and touchable looking – evocative!
Your wife and I have lower appendages of a similar temperature! Mouse feet are smaller, of course, so less of a bother
May 11th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Never met a Dicentra I didn’t love, John, although ours aren’t yet in flower (in the wild or in OUR garden; other parts of the province that are milder have bloomin’ dicentra. But we’re gettin’ there, slowly but surely. The weeds are doing very well.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Hey Wiseacre I’m so glad you stopped by. I was fairly new to your site then had to redo my blog list and . . . anyway now I can put you back.
Your pictures are something, I’m starting to compile a list of cameras people use because mine was acting up the other day.
I’ve heard of Dutchman’s breeches quite a few times now but have never seen them that I know of.
Great post!!!