Dutchman's breeches
noun chiefly North American
A plant related to bleeding heart, but typically having pale yellow flowers.
- Genus Dicentra, family Fumariaceae: several species, in particular D. spectabilis.
- Many of our loveliest spring wildflowers - trillium, wild ginger, Dutchman's breeches, and hepatica among them - simply can't compete.
- Among them are Dutchman's breeches, spring-beauty, and various species of toothwort, trillium, and violet.
Origin
Mid 19th century: so named because of the shape of the spurred flower.