Practical
Plants

Dicentra cucullaria

Dutchman's Breeches

a perennial member of the Dicentra genus in the family Papaveraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.12 m
Spread
0.3 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is potentially poisonous and can also cause skin rashes[8].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Alterative, tonic[11][12]. The dried tubers were used as a tonic and were recommended in the treatment of VD[7]. A tea made from the roots is diaphoretic and diuretic[8]. A poultice made from the leaves has been used in the treatment of skin ailments and as a muscle rub to make them more limber[8]. The plant contains an alkaloid that depresses the central nervous system - it is used in the treatment of paralysis and tremors[8].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
VD

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to N. Carolina and west to Kansas.
Habitat
Cool places in rich mountain woods[10][4].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[2]. Stored seed should be sown in March[3]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 6 months at 15°c[3]. Two weeks warm stratification at 18°c followed by six weeks at 2°c can shorten up the germination time[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring[6]. Best done when the plant is dormant in late winter[5]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Root cuttings 7 - 10cm long in sandy soil in a cold frame[6].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a rich light soil[1], preferably neutral to slightly acid[6]. Prefers light shade and a sheltered position[3] but also succeeds in heavier shade[6]. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[4]. The seed is difficult to harvest, it ripens and falls from the plant very quickly[2]. The plant becomes dormant in the summer[5]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩

  8. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  10. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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