Wild Bleeding Heart - Dicentra eximia " (Poppy family - Papaveraceae) "
Wild Bleeding Heart - Dicentra eximia " (Poppy family - Papaveraceae) " This native perennial resembles the more showy Asian species of Bleeding Heart (D. spectabilis), which is often cultivated in eastern gardens.
The common name derives from a fancied resemblance of the two outer spurred petals to a heart and the united tips of the two inner petals to a drop of blood. Deep pink to red-purple. Leaves are intricately cut. 10 - 16 in. Rocky woods, ledges. The roots contain an alkaloid, coyrdalin, which has been used as a tonic.
