Scientific Name:

Dicentra formosa

Family Name:

Bleeding Heart Family

Habitat:

Moist-shady woods.

Characteristics:

1. Flowers on separate stalk from leaf.

2. Pink, heart-shaped flowers with 2 spurs that look like drops of blood at both sides of point.

3. Parsley-like leaves with a bluish-green tinge.

Uses or Importances:

1. Pretty wildflower for the shady garden. The native bleeding heart is very similar to the domestic version used extensively in gardens.

2. Root for worm medicine.

3. Leaves may cause dermatitis. Dermatitis is a severe rash or itching at any place the skin comes in contact with this plant.

4. Roots chewed as tooth medicine.

5. Hair tonic.