Two Dicentras

 

 

 

Squirrel Corn and Bleeding Hearts belong to the same genus, Dicentra. Their kinship can easily be seen in the shape of their flowers. Their leaves are similar also, but their choice of growing conditions vary quite a bit. Squirrel corn grows in the shade of deciduous trees under moist conditions. These Bleeding Hearts you see here are growing on a rock cliff on a road cut. The bleeding hearts I have grown here in Alabama were minuscule compared to these in the Smokies, But then Buckeye become a giant tree there.

Bishop's Cap and Squirrel Corn

 

 

 

The first two pictures are of a small plant known as Bishop's Cap (you can see the resemblance to a fringed cap), or specifically, Mitella diphylla. It flowers in the Smokies from late April to early June. It is a tiny flower best seen from up close. The third plant is Squirrel Corn or properly, Dicentra canadensis. Its common name is derived from the small tubers on the rootstock that resembles grains of yellow corn. Dutchmen's britches look a lot like Squirrel corn except the flower stalk in squirrel corn is erect while it is nodding in dutchmen's britches. Sometimes squirrel corn and dutchmen's britches are found growing side by side. These pictures were taken on the Chimney's Picnic Area Trail in the Smokies. This is the only place I have ever seen squirrel corn growing.