Dicentra eximia (Ker Gawler) Torrey. Common name: Wild Bleeding Heart. Phenology: Apr-Jul; Jul-Aug. Habitat: Cliffs, talus slopes, rocky slopes, rock outcrops, shale slopes. Distribution: An Appalachian endemic: NJ and PA south to NC, SC (Gaddy et al. 1984), and TN. Occurrences in NY are non-native.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: A diploid species (2n=16) (Hatcher 2019).
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, FNA3, G, Il, K4, Mi, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, RAB, Tn, Va, W, WV; = Bicuculla eximia (Ker Gawl.) Millsp. — S, S13. Basionym: Fumaria eximia Ker Gawl. 1815
Links to other floras: = Dicentra eximia - FNA3
Show parent genus | Show parent in key(s)
Heliophily ⓘ: 5
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© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Dicentra eximia, Cohutta Wilderness, Chattahoochee National Forest. Murray County, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Dicentra eximia, Jacks River Trail, Cohutta Wilderness, Chattahoochee National Forest, Fannin County, Georgia 2 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect, rhizomatous (no bulblets) perennial growing on cliffs, rocky slopes and rock outcrops associated with rich, moist forests; may form mounds up to 3 ft. wide.
Stems: Stems hollow at maturity, smooth.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate, oval in general outline, 2-8 in. long, finely divided into many pale green (white-waxy), toothed segments (fern-like).
Inforescence: Panicle of dangling, magenta-pink, tubular, flowers rise just above the foliage; .
Flowers: Flowers dangling from a panicle on a separate scape overtopping the leaves; magenta-pink (rarely white); ¾ in. long; bilaterally symmetric and tubular, with a flattened heart shape opening to 2 spreading-recurved lips facing downward.
Fruits: Fruit an oblong-oval capsule.
Comments: An Appalachian endemic species.
Height: 1-2 ft.
plant sale text: Racemes of pink or white flowers contrast beautifully with its pale green fern-like foliage. In the wild, this plant grows on wooded slopes with filtered sunlight. Well-established plants bloom over a period of many weeks. Wild bleeding-heart can be prominently featured in your garden since it is attractive from spring through fall. This native perennial may be naturalized in the woodland garden or massed in a more formal perennial border.
bloom table text:
description: Erect, rhizomatous (no bulblets) perennial growing on cliffs, rocky slopes and rock outcrops associated with rich, moist forests; may form mounds up to 3 ft. wide.
stems: Stems hollow at maturity, smooth.
leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate, oval in general outline, 2-8 in. long, finely divided into many pale green (white-waxy), toothed segments (fern-like).
inflorescence: Panicle of dangling, magenta-pink, tubular, flowers rise just above the foliage; .
flowers: Flowers dangling from a panicle on a separate scape overtopping the leaves; magenta-pink (rarely white); ¾ in. long; bilaterally symmetric and tubular, with a flattened heart shape opening to 2 spreading-recurved lips facing downward.
fruits: Fruit an oblong-oval capsule.
comments: An Appalachian endemic species.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern United States
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