Native Plants

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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Dicentra eximia

Dicentra eximia (Ker Gawl.) Torr.

Turkey Corn, Fringed Bleedinghearts, Wild Bleedingheart

Fumariaceae (Fumitory Family)

Synonym(s): Bicuculla eximia

USDA Symbol: DIEX

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Fringed Bleedinghearts is a bushy, perennial with light-green, much-dissected, ferny leaves and clusters of drooping, heart-shaped, magenta-pink flowers along a leafless stem. The plants are quick to send up new leaves and in no time form mounds 1-2 ft. tall and up to 3 ft. across. It colonizes very slowly by rhizomes.

This native perennial is common in the southern mountains. It resembles the showier Asian Bleeding Heart (D. spectabilis), which is often cultivated in eastern gardens.

From the Image Gallery

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Normally 9 to 12 inches but can reach 2 feet.
Flower: Flowers 1/2 inch.
Fruit: Green, 1 inch, seeds black.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Color ranges from white to various shades of pink to purple. Can bloom from early spring to frost.

Distribution

USA: GA , IL , MA , MD , MI , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV
Native Distribution: PA & WV, s. to NC & TN in mountains
Native Habitat: Rich, wooded slopes

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist, humus-rich, acid, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Is heat tolerant if planted in rich, moist soil in shade.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: A long-blooming, evergreen plant for Eastern shade gardens.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division , Seeds
Description: Propagate by seed sown immediately or in the spring after a cold-moist period. Self-sows readily, so look for transplants around the parent. Can also be increased rapidly by division in fall or early spring.
Seed Collection: Seeds mature throughout the growing season. Periodically check the light green capsules for mature, shiny-black seeds. Do not allow the seeds to dry out. Store in damp sphagnum in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Four weeks of cold-moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. Wasowski
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Dicentra eximia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Dicentra eximia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dicentra eximia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-04
Research By: TWC Staff

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