Dicentra nevadensis
Tulare county bleeding heart, Tulare County Bleeding Heart
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Dicentra nevadensis (Tulare county bleeding heart) is a native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by flowers drying black, plus high elevation habitat.
Tulare county bleeding heart is a rare California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, Tulare County, growing in gravelly meadow soils at elevations of 2,200 to 3,100 meters. Flowering in July, this plant produces delicate white to pale yellow or light pink flowers that darken to black when dry, hanging in clusters of 2 to 20 blooms. Growing 20 to 45 centimeters tall with a spreading rhizomatous root system, it develops elegant branching stems. Its intricate leaves are 2-ternate-dissected, spreading 15 to 25 centimeters wide with finely divided leaflets. The flower's distinctive structure features a central stamen base uniquely looped into the base of each outer petal, creating an unusual botanical architecture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 2 species; key feature is flowers drying black, plus high elevation habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, in gravelly soils
Elevation: 2200-3100 m
California counties: Tulare, Fresno, Butte
Bloom period
Dicentra nevadensis blooms Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Fumaria: Dicentra has matching pouched outer petals; Fumaria has lopsided flowers with one spur.; vs Geranium: Dicentra has hanging heart flowers; Geranium has flat 5-petaled flowers facing up.; vs Lamprocapnos: Dicentra is native California wildflower; Lamprocapnos is cultivated Asian bleeding heart.; vs Ehrendorferia: Dicentra has no leafy stems; Ehrendorferia has obvious stems with leaves.; vs Fuchsia: Dicentra has two-pouched hearts; Fuchsia has dangling bells with protruding stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dicentra nevadensis native to California?
Yes. Dicentra nevadensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dicentra nevadensis bloom?
Dicentra nevadensis blooms Jul.
Where in California does Dicentra nevadensis grow?
Dicentra nevadensis occurs in Tulare, Fresno, Butte, at elevations of 2200-3100 m.
What plant family does Dicentra nevadensis belong to?
Dicentra nevadensis is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Dicentra.
Is Dicentra nevadensis rare or endangered?
Dicentra nevadensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4?.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.