Dutchman’s-breeches

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Secure in Ontario (S5) but Vulnerable in Quebec (S3), near the northeastern margin of its range. Globally secure (G5), nationally secure in Canada (N5). Not listed under SARA.

S22+S26

Rarity Ranks

QC S3 – Vulnerable, ON S5 – Secure

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

A spring ephemeral of rich mesic deciduous forests, typically in beech-maple or sugar maple stands on gentle slopes, ravines, and floodplains. Characteristic of undisturbed, mature woodland with deep leaf litter and humus-rich soils. In the Outaouais, found in sugar maple forests (erabliere sucriere) and associated calcareous-influenced habitats. Seeds bear elaiosomes dispersed by ants (myrmecochory).

S7+S10+S48

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fortress/Barrier, Pollinator Attractor

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

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Category

Alterative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Tonic

S29 PFAF medicinal categories

Notes

Iroquois used a compound infusion of leaves as a liniment for runners to strengthen limbs. Menominee regarded the plant as an important love charm and chewed the root to attract a partner. Dried tubers were used as a tonic and recommended for treatment of venereal disease. Root tea is diaphoretic and diuretic; leaf poultice applied for skin ailments. Contains isoquinoline alkaloids that depress the central nervous system.

S28+S29

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

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❌ Not Edible   

Foraging Notes

No edible uses known. All parts are considered poisonous and should not be ingested.

S29+S4

Toxicity

⚠️ Moderate Toxicity

Despite USDA classification as None, multiple sources report toxicity. All parts contain several isoquinoline alkaloids. Symptoms of ingestion include trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and labored breathing. Contact with cell sap may cause minor, short-lived skin irritation. Foliage is toxic to mammalian herbivores and is rarely eaten.

S4+S29+S10

Seed Source

• OWSL