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.

---

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

---

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 • Oct. 8, 2019

The plumy dicentra, or Dutchman’s breeches, seems so feminine as to be grossly misnamed until we remember that it was first discovered in the Rip Van Winkle country.

From Some Spring Days in Iowa by Lazell, Frederick John

Lessons similar to that on the trillium may be based on adder's tongue, Indian turnip, Dutchman's breeches, violet, and clover.

From Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Nature Study by Ontario. Ministry of Education

"Yes, I see a piece of blue big enough for a Dutchman's breeches so I think the rain is over, but you'd better put on your rubbers, Molly."

From Three Little Cousins by Blanchard, Amy Ella

“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 Reading the Weather by Longstreth, Thomas Morris