Dicentra
(from dis, twice, and kentron, a spur; in allusion to the double-spurred flowers). SYNS. Capnorchis and Diclytra (often written Dielytra). ORD. Fumariaceae. Very ornamental hardy herbaceous perennials, with tuberous, horizontal, or fibrous roots. Flowers pink or yellow, in terminal racemes; petals four, the two exterior ones equally spurred or gibbous at the base. Leaves stalked, multifid. They are all of easy culture in moderately rich, light soil. Increased readily by dividing the crowns, in early spring; or by cutting the fleshy roots in short lengths, and inserting them in sandy soil. D. spectabilis is very beautiful when forced in early spring, but the forcing must be very gentle, and the plants kept as near the glass as possible. A moist temperature of 50deg. to 55deg. will be sufficient. As a rule, it is much preferable to have fresh plants every year, returning those which have flowered under glass to the open border. The roots should be placed in a compost of sandy loam, in well-drained pots, as soon as the foliage dies off, and transferred to a cold frame until introduced into the house. After flowering, the plants should be removed to a cold frame, to be shifted out in the borders when severe frosts are past. Successional batches may be brought in as occasion requires, and, with little trouble, the flowering period can be prolonged from February to June. Plenty of water is necessary when the plants are in full growth, and occasional doses of liquid manure may be employed with advantage.
D. canadensis (Canadian). fl. white; spurs two, short, blunt; pedicels short; scape naked, simple, few-flowered. May. l. glaucous, multifid; lobes linear. h. 6in. North America, 1822. (B. M. 3031.) D. chrysantha (golden-flowered).* fl. golden-yellow, disposed in erect racemes. Autumn. l. very finely cut, glaucous, forming a large tuft, whence issue the rigid, leafy stems. h. 3ft. to 5ft. California, 1852. (L. & P. F. G. iii. 103.) D. cucullaria (hooded). Dutchman's Breeches. fl. white, but yellow at the tip; spurs two, straight, acute; scape naked; racemes simple. May. l. triternate, smooth, slender. h. 3in. to 6in. United States, 1731. (F. d. S. 920.) D. eximia (choice).* fl. reddish-purple, drooping, oblong; spurs two, somewhat incurved, blunt, short; scape naked; racemes compound. Spring and summer. l. three to eight, or more; lobes mostly oblong. h. 9in. to 18in. United States, 1812. (B. R. 50, under name of Fumaria eximia.) D. formosa (beautiful).* fl. bright red, broadly ovate; spurs short, very obtuse; scape naked; racemes rather compound. May. h. 6in. North America, 1796. Very like D. eximia, but smaller in all its parts. SYN. Fumaria formosa. (B. M. 1335.) D. spectabilis (showy).* fl. rosy-crimson, large, each nearly 1in. long, disposed in a graceful raceme; spurs two, very blunt, ventricose, short. Spring, summer. l. stalked, multifid; segments obovate-cuneate, cut. Stem leafy. h. 9in. to 2ft. Siberia (1816) and Japan (1846). A very handsome plant, and one of the best hardy herbaceous perennials in cultivation. It is suitable for borders, margins of shrubberies, &c. There is also a white-flowered variety.
D. thalictrifolia (Thalictrum-leaved).* fl. yellow, with rufescent mouth, fragrant, large, oblong, flattish, nodding, dilated at the base into two horns or gibbosities; racemes axillary or opposite the leaves, on long, filiform peduncles. Autumn. l. alternate, decompound; segments 1/4in. to 1in. long, oval, oblong, or circular. Stem and branches filiform and twisted. Temperate Himalaya, 1831. Plant glaucous. SYN. Dactylicapnos thalictrifolia. (S. B. F. G. s. ii. 127.)