Fumitory Family. — Fumariaceæ
Dutchman’s Breeches. Dicentra Cucullaria.
Found in rich, moist woodlands in April.
The flower-stems and leaves (from 5 to 8 inches in height) spring from the root.
The large feathery leaf is many times divided and sub-divided in groups of threes, the margin being entire. In texture it is thin and delicate, the surface being noticeably cool to the touch; in color, gray-green, bluish underneath. It is borne on a pale, juicy stem, which is tinged with pink or reddish at the foot. Several leaves spring up enclosed by 2 or 3 dry, reddish sheaths.
The petals of this curious flower are 4 in number, one pair being joined together to form a 2-spurred heart-shaped bag, with its spurs spread widely apart; the other 2 petals held within the narrow mouth of the bag are very small, and join their tips over the slightly protruding stamens; the texture is very thin and delicate and slightly ribbed; the color of the petals is a pure white, the spurs being tipped with pure yellow. The 2 divisions of the small calyx hug the bag betwixt the spurs,—it is white, a trifle tinted with green. The foot-stem on which the bag hangs is small and pale; the flowers are set in a nodding row upon the long curving or upright stem, which is pale or tinted red.
In New England this is a less common variety than its sister Squirrel Corn, D. Canadensis, which is very like, though smaller and pink-tinted instead of yellow.
Pale Corydalis. Corydalis glauca.
Found in woodsy, rocky places during June and July.
The erect and leafy stalk grows from 6 to 15 inches in height, and is slender and smooth, with a slight bloom, which makes its color a pale or whitish-green.
The pretty leaf is not large; it is compound, its 3 leaflets being sub-divided and cut into deep scallops on the entire edges; the ribs are very delicate, the texture thin and fine and smooth; in color, a cool green, the underside whitened by a pale bloom. The lower leaves are on slender, smooth stems, and the upper clasp the stalk; they are placed alternately.
The flower is small, fragile and smooth in texture, and hung upside down; the corolla, like a one-sided flat bag with a round bottom and a 2-lipped mouth, is pale pink, the lips being golden; the 2-parted calyx is pinkish. Three or four flowers hang in terminal groups on slender reddish stems.
The seed-pod is out of all expectation long, frequently over an inch in length, but very slender. The whole plant has a smooth daintiness, and especially is the leaf pretty.