dicentra

[ dahy-sen-truh ]

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Dicentra, of the fumitory family, having long clusters of drooping flowers, such as the Dutchman's breeches or the bleeding heart.

dicentra

/ daɪˈsɛntrə /

noun

1. any Asian or North American plant of the genus Dicentra, such as bleeding heart and Dutchman's-breeches, having finely divided leaves and ornamental clusters of drooping flowers: family Fumariaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicentra¹

1833; < New Latin < Greek díkentr ( os ) with two stings or spurs, equivalent to di- di- ¹ + -kentros, derivative of kéntron a spur, point, sting (derivative of kenteîn to prick, sting) + Latin -a -a ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicentra¹

C19: New Latin, from Greek dikentros having two sharp points, from di- ¹+ kentron sharp point, from kentein to prick; see centre

Example Sentences

Dicentra ‘Langtrees’, with vigorous gray-green leaves and pearly white flowers, is a compact form that goes summer-dormant.

From Seattle Times

Their lingering foliage offers a week or so of green respite — and then spring kicks in with effusions of dicentra, uvularias, bloodroot and trilliums, with some Italian windflowers and Virginia bluebells joining the party.

From Washington Post

A popular historical novel of American life at the time of the Revolution makes the hero and heroine play a very pretty love scene over a spray of the Bleeding-heart, the Dielytra, or Dicentra.

From Project Gutenberg

Dicentra.—Very elegant plants, of easy growth in good soil.

From Project Gutenberg

The arrangement of the essential organs in the genus Dicentra is very curious and interesting.

From Project Gutenberg