Dicentra formosa

Phonetic Spelling

dy-SEN-truh for-MO-suh

Common Names

• Pacific Bleeding Heart
• Wild Bleeding Heart

Appearance

• Size: 1–2 feet tall.
• Leaves: Fern-like, delicate, and deeply lobed.
• Flowers: Pink, heart-shaped flowers hanging from arching stems, blooming in spring and summer.

Habitats

Found in moist woodlands and forest edges along the Pacific coast.

Environmental Impacts

• Provides nectar for pollinators like bumblebees and hummingbirds.
• Helps prevent soil erosion with its spreading root system.

Growth Factors

• Sunlight: Prefers partial to full shade.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil.
• Water: Moist conditions, but not waterlogged.

Fun Facts

• Toxic if ingested, yet used in traditional medicine.
• Dies back in summer, re-emerging in early spring.
• It’s easy to confuse them for lavenders, but the hanging buds are their defining characteristics!