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Dicentra canadensis - (Goldie.)Walp.

Common Name Squirrel Corn
Family Papaveraceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The plant is potentially poisonous and can also cause skin rashes[222].
Habitats Rich woods[43]. Deciduous woods, often among rock outcrops, in rich loam soils from sea level to 1500 metres[270].
Range Eastern N. America - S. Quebec, Minnesota, N. Carolina, Tennessee.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Dicentra canadensis Squirrel Corn


Thomas G. Barnes @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Dicentra canadensis Squirrel Corn
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 2: 142.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Dicentra canadensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root. No further details are given.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Alterative  Diuretic  Tonic  VD

The dried tubers are alterative, diuretic and tonic[4, 46, 61]. The tubers are useful in the treatment of chronic cutaneous affections, syphilis, scrofula and some menstrual complaints[4, 213].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a rich light soil[1], preferably neutral to slightly acid[200]. Prefers light shade and a sheltered position according to one report[175] whilst another says that it prefers heavier shade[200]. Grows well in a sheltered corner of the rock garden. The seed is very difficult to harvest, it ripens and falls from the plant very quickly[134]. This species is closely related to D. cucullaria[270]. After fruit set, the bulblets of Dicentra canadensis remain dormant until autumn, when stored starch is converted to sugar. At this time also, flower buds and leaf primordia are produced below ground; these then remain dormant until spring[270]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[134]. Stored seed should be sown in early spring[175]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 6 months at 15°c[175]. Two weeks warm stratification at 18°c followed by six weeks at 2°c can shorten up the germination time[134]. 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[200]. 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[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec (south), Ontario (south)), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine (south), Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Iowa, Minnesota (southeast), Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina (east), Tennessee, Virginia (n. & w.))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Dicentra cucullariaDutchman's BreechesPerennial0.1 5-9 MLMFSM02 
Dicentra eximiaDwarf bleeding heart, turkey-cornPerennial0.4 3-9 MLMHFSM004
Dicentra spectabilisBleeding Heart, Japanese Bleeding Heart, Common Bleeding HeartPerennial0.6 3-9 MLMSNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Goldie.)Walp.

Botanical References

43200270

Links / References

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