Dutchman's breeches

American  

[duhch-muhnz brich-iz] / ˈdʌtʃ mənz ˈbrɪtʃ ɪz /

Or Dutchman's-breeches

noun

plural

Dutchman's breeches

1. a plant, Dicentra cucullaria, of the fumitory family, having long clusters of pale yellow, two-spurred flowers.

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Dutchman's-breeches British  

noun

1. Also called: colicweed.  (functioning as singular) a North American plant, Dicentra cucullaria, with finely divided basal leaves and pink flowers: family Fumariaceae

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Etymology

Origin of Dutchman's breeches

First recorded in 1830–40; so called from the shape of the flowers

Example Sentences

Norway maple is an invasive plant that has escaped from cultivation to displace sugar maple and shade to death spring wildflowers such as Dutchman’s breeches, dog-tooth violet and mayapple.

From Washington Times

Workers also replaced the invasive plants they removed with native species — Dutchman’s breeches, shooting stars and trillium, among others.

From New York Times

“That’s one of the big reasons that, five years ago, we decided to start this expansion project,” Mr. Lorimer told me as he led the way through the original Native Flora Garden, a lush woodland with 500 native species, including stands of spring ephemerals like Dutchman’s breeches, trout lilies, trillium and bloodroot.

From New York Times

“Enough blue sky to make a Dutchman’s breeches indicates clearing,” is one that is true if the wind has changed to the west.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the rocks you will find, swinging, the little Dutchman's Breeches, with their peculiar little flowers that look like pairs of trousers hung on a line.

From Project Gutenberg