BotanyBlitz ID Tips: Vegetative ID of Dutchman's Breeches & Squirrel Corn

(Cross-posted from the KNPS Wildflower Week BotanyBlitz journal)

We're fast approaching (or maybe already there in certain areas) that point in spring where there's no question which Dicentra species we're looking at, it's either tiny breeches or tiny hearts:

(Left: Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) by @herbane; Right: Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis) by @maryrebeccau)

But what about before the flowers have fully developed? We've all been there, in early to mid-March, impatiently staring at a clump of Dicentra leaves and wanting to know which species it is. Fortunately, there are a couple of clues that can reveal their identities from relatively early on. The following images are from this observation of Squirrel Corn, side by side with with Dutchman's Breeches.

Clue 1: Lower Leaf Surface

Turn over a leaf and examine the color of the underside. The difference can be subtle, but Dutchman's Breeches is pale green on the underside (on the left in both photos), whereas Squirrel Corn has a grayish cast (on the right in the photos), particularly on newer leaves, although the intensity of the grayish cast does seem to diminish somewhat as Squirrel Corn foliage matures.

Clue 2: Corm Shape

Dicentra corms often sit rather close to the soil surface, and may be partially visible if you pull back the leaf litter at the base of the plant. If you can see the tops of any corms, look for either pointed-tipped corms (like garlic cloves) for Dutchman's Breeches, or rounded potato-like corms for Squirrel Corn.

So next time you're out photographing either of these species, make sure to flip over a leaf and gently check for visible corms, they might help you recognize these wildflower friends earlier than you thought possible!

Posted on March 24, 2022 03:11 PM by vvoelker