Dwarf bleeding heart, turkey-corn
Dicentra eximia

Family: Papaveraceae

What it is like

Dicentra eximia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. The flowers are pollinated by Birds, Bees, Insects. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.4

Where it is found

Forest and mountain areas from New York to Georgia and Tennessee growing on forest floors, rocky woods and ledges on rocky soils in the Appalachian Mountains. Shade-loving.

Native to the Eastern North America - Appalachian Mountains.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

USA

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Groundcover: A medium density moderately good groundcover for shade and semi-shade. Colonizes very slowly through rhizomes. Wildlife Food: The nectar is sought by hummingbirds. Wildlife Habitat: Provides cover for small wildlife. Insectory: Attracts beneficial insects. Good companion plants include; Jacobs Ladder and Wild Columbine. Cut Flowers. Ornamental: Ornamental foliage and flowers. The foliage is deeply cut and fern-like, and does not die back like the common bleeding heart. Flowers are shades of pink and white and heart shaped.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Ground Cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

An herbaceous perennial growing well in semi-shade. USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 9. Soil pH: 5.5 - 7.0. Life Span: Long-Lived Perennial. Stand Persistence: Long. Form: Upright. Texture: Fine. Sun: Partial Shade, Shade. Soil Type: Loamy, Silty. Soil Moisture: Moderate. Minimum Root Depth: 6 inches (15cm). Root Type: Rhizome, Fibrous Shallow. Fungal Types: Endomycorrhizal. Seasonal Interest: Summer. Will tolerate full sun if given sufficient moisture. Requires rich well-drained soil. Flowering may stop in areas with very hot weather. Will not go dormant in midsummer like the Common Bleeding Heart as long as the soil is kept moist. Tolerant of proximity to black walnut trees. Fruit Type: Capsule. Flower Color: Pink, Red, White. Drought: Sensitive. Flood: Intolerant. Salt: Intolerant. Soil Compaction: Sensitive. Mowing: Intolerant. Cold Injury: Infrequent. Disease Issues: Minor. Insect/Pest Damage: Minor. Animal Damage: Deer, Rabbits. Growing Season: Cool. Bloom Time: Late Spring - Early Fall. Fruit Time: Fall - Winter. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length . The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots.

Propagating it:

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Fatal in large quantities. Symptoms include: trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions and labored breathing. Skin irritation after repeated contact with the cell sap is mild and short-lasting.

Its other names

Local names

Wild bleeding-heart, Fringed bleeding-heart, turkey-corn, Fernleaf Bleeding Heart

Synonyms

Bicuculla eximia (Ker Gawl.) Millsp. Bikukulla eximia (Ker Gawl.) Druce. Capnorchis eximia (Ker Gawl.) Planch. Capnorchis eximia (Ker Gawl.) Kuntze. Corydalis eximia (Ker Gawl.). Diclytra eximia (Ker Gawl.) DC. Dielytra eximia (Ker Gawl.) G.Don. Eucapnos eximius (Ker Gawl.) Bernh. Fumaria eximia Ker Gawl. Fumaria formosa Poir.