Botanical Name : Dicentra formosa
Family: Fumariaceae
Genus: Dicentra
Species: D. formosa
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ranunculales
Common Name :Bleeding Heart or Pacific bleeding-heart
Habitat :Bleeding Heart is native to moist woodland from California to British Columbia.
Description:
Bleeding Heart is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizome.Leaves are finely divided and fernlike, growing from the base of the plant.
Flowers are pink, red, or white and heart-shaped and bloom in clusters at the top of leafless, fleshy stems above the leaves from mid-spring to autumn, with peak flowering in spring. The four petals are attached at the base. The two outer petals form a pouch at the base and curve outwards at the tips. The two inner petals are perpendicular to the outer petals and connected at the tip. There are two tiny, pointed sepals behind the petals.
Seeds are borne in plump, pointed pods…...CLICK & SEE
The plant frequently goes dormant for the summer after flowering, emerging and flowering again in autumn.
Similar species: This species is frequently confused with and sold as Dicentra eximia, which has narrower flowers and longer, more curved outer petal tips.
Subspecies : There are two subspecies:
*Dicentra formosa subsp. formosa — leaves glaucous beneath and never glaucous above, flowers purple pink to pink or white
western slope of Sierra Nevada, Coast Ranges to central California, Cascades, extreme southwestern British Columbia
*Dicentra formosa subsp. oregona (often spelled oregana) — leaves glaucous above and beneath, flowers cream or pale yellow
small area of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon
Medicinal Uses:
The early Eclectics seemed to have used Corydalis primarily as an alterative-tonic remedy, with reference to dermatological conditions. An alterative of great value where indicated. Increases the vitality and influences metabolism. Especially indicated in all glandular derangement with general depraved condition of the system, where the nutritive forces are impaired. It increases waste and improves nutrition. More especially indicated in above conditions where there is an enlarged abdomen, the result of atony, or where there is a persistently coated tongue and fetid breath. In diarrhea and dysentery where tongue is coated, breath fetid and digestion poor, it is a good remedy. In amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and leucorrhea where there is a relaxed condition of the uterine supports it is a valuable adjunct to other indicated remedies. In eczema and other skin diseases with relaxed conditions it is curative. It is an antisyphilitic and can be used in all stages of syphilis, strumous conditions, nodular swelling, enlarged glands, with good results. Dicentra is used primarily for its analgesic and anodyne properties in western herbalism today. In Asian medicine however, it is also used as a cardiac remedy for arrythmias and hypertension as well as a hypnotic for insomnia.
Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicentra_formosa
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_AB.htm
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DIFO&photoID=difo_005_ahp.tif
http://www.rosebay.org/chapterweb/shadegt52.htm
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