Dutchman's Breeches



Dutchman's BreechesDicentra cucullaria

This is a cute little plant found in the springtime in Indiana's woodlands.  It's easy to identify, although there is one other plant that looks similar - Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis).  For Dutchman's Breeches, the little legs splay outwards, whereas for Squirrel Corn the legs are held together.

It's easy to see how it got the name of Breeches, since the flowers look like little britches.  Why they're attributed to the Dutch, I don't know.  Perhaps the Dutch preferred more poofy breeches than those in other countries.