Squirrel corn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Squirrel corn |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dicentra
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| Species: |
canadensis
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Squirrel corn (scientific name: Dicentra canadensis) is a cool flowering plant found in eastern North America. It has unique white flowers and leaves that look like they've been cut into many tiny pieces. People often call it "squirrel corn" because its small underground parts look a bit like kernels of corn.
Contents
What is Squirrel Corn?
Appearance of the Plant
Squirrel corn plants are quite small. They have tiny yellow bulblets that grow underground. These bulb-like structures are what give the plant its common name, as they look like little pieces of corn. Above ground, the plant has delicate leaves that are divided into many fine segments, almost like a fern.
Its Unique Flowers
The most striking part of squirrel corn is its white, heart-shaped flowers. These flowers hang in clusters and are quite pretty. They usually appear in early spring, making the plant one of the first to bloom in the forest.
Where Does Squirrel Corn Live?
Forest Home
Squirrel corn naturally grows in deciduous woodlands. These are forests where trees lose their leaves in the fall. You can find this plant across eastern North America. It's a native plant, meaning it has always grown there.
A Spring Ephemeral
Squirrel corn is known as a "spring ephemeral". This means it grows, flowers, and produces seeds very quickly in the spring. It does this before the trees in the forest grow all their leaves and block out the sunlight. Once summer arrives, the plant goes dormant. This means its leaves die back, and it rests underground until the next spring.
