# Squirrel Corn (*dicentra canadensis*) Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis) is an enchanting perennial wildflower native to the rich, deciduous forests of eastern North America. Emerging early in the spring, this delicate 'spring ephemeral' completes its entire above-ground life cycle before the forest canopy closes and blocks out the sunlight. It gets its whimsical common name from its underground tubers, which closely resemble bright yellow kernels of corn. These tubers act as vital nutrient reservoirs, allowing the plant to survive dormant underground through the harsh winter months. Historically cherished by nature enthusiasts for its unique, heart-shaped blossoms and finely dissected foliage, Squirrel Corn forms lush, green carpets across damp forest floors. While it is closely related to Dutchman's Breeches, it stands out with its subtly fragrant, heart-shaped flowers and more rounded lobes. Finding a patch of Squirrel Corn is a true sign that spring has arrived, bringing a burst of life to the forest floor when most other plants are just waking up. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Found in rich, moist deciduous woods, typically in alkaline soil atop limestone slopes or deep forest hollows. ![Squirrel Corn](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/263311482/medium.jpg) Photo: Mark Eanes, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/263311482) ## Appearance This herbaceous perennial typically grows 15 to 30 centimeters tall, featuring deeply divided, grayish-green, fern-like leaves that form a soft, low-lying mound. Suspended from a slender, arching stalk are several nodding, heart-shaped flowers. Each blossom is creamy white with a faint pinkish or purplish tint, measuring about 2 centimeters in length. The inner petals are fused to form a small, yellow-tipped beak at the tip. Beneath the soil lie the characteristic yellow, spherical tubers that resemble small kernels of field corn, measuring about 0.5 to 1 centimeter in diameter. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ranunculales - **Family:** Papaveraceae - **Genus:** Dicentra ## Interesting facts - Because it is a spring ephemeral, the entire above-ground portion of the plant completely dies back and disappears by mid-summer, leaving no trace above the soil. - Despite its name, the tubers of Squirrel Corn contain toxic alkaloids like bicuculline, which can be harmful to livestock if eaten in large quantities. - Its scientific name, Dicentra, comes from Greek words meaning 'two-spurred,' referring to the shape of the petals. - The bright yellow, corn-like tubers beneath the soil are actually modified underground stems called corms. ## Special abilities - **Spring Ephemeral Lifestyle:** Completes its entire photosynthetic and reproductive cycle in early spring before the forest canopy leafs out, maximizing its sunlight capture. - **Subterranean Nutrient Storage:** Relies on bright yellow, starch-rich corms or tubers to store energy underground, allowing the plant to survive dormancy and winter cold. - **Ant-Assisted Seed Dispersal:** Uses fleshy appendages called elaiosomes on its seeds to attract ants, which carry the seeds back to their nests to feed on the nutrient-rich structures and effectively plant them. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-20 years ## Diet & Feeding As a photosynthetic plant, Squirrel Corn produces its own energy using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential soil nutrients. - **Primary Foods:** Sunlight, Water, Carbon Dioxide, Soil Minerals ## Ecological connections - **Mutualism:** Half-black Bumblebee (*Bombus vagans*) — Pollinates the flowers using its long tongue to reach deep into the tubular petals. - **Mutualism:** Eastern Forest Ant (*Aphaenogaster rudis*) — Disperses the seeds by carrying them to underground nests to consume the nutrient-dense elaiosomes. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Occasionally digs up and feeds on the yellow tubers, despite the presence of toxic alkaloids. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Squirrel Corn? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Squirrel Corn? 15-30 cm ### How much does Squirrel Corn weigh? 0.01-0.05 kg ### How long does Squirrel Corn live? 5-20 years ### What does Squirrel Corn eat? As a photosynthetic plant, Squirrel Corn produces its own energy using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential soil nutrients. ### Where is Squirrel Corn usually found? Found in rich, moist deciduous woods, typically in alkaline soil atop limestone slopes or deep forest hollows. ## Where to spot - [Randolph Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/randolph-center-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Chester Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chester-center-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Gifford State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gifford-state-forest) — Ohio, US · Forest [View all places to see Squirrel Corn](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/squirrel-corn) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Squirrel Corn: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/squirrel-corn)