Dicentra eximia is a perennial herb about 30 cm tall; clumps spreading from a short, stout rhizome.
Leaves basal, dissected, segments toothed, pale bluish green, smooth; infl ca 40cm.
Flowers pink, bilaterally symmetrical, ca 2 cm, nodding, more-or-less heart-shaped, , May-April.
Fruit a narrow capsule with several seeds; seeds with white fleshy attachment (aril), probably ant dispersed.
Wetland status: UPL.
Frequency in NYC: Very infrequent in NYC, escaping from cultivation.
Origin: Mostly southern Appalachians but as far north as northeaster NJ and western NYS (USDA, NRCS 2006).
Habitat: Open woods, edges. Sometimes locally frequent on sites near cultivated plants.