Squirrel Corn lives primarily in deciduous moist woods or among rock outcrops often in mountainous areas. It is a perennial forb. It grows best in loam-rich moist soils. This small wildflower has lovely heart-shaped blooms in spring with lacy foliage. By summer it goes dormant. Use in the woodland and shade gardens for early spring interest. Plant with later appearing perennials. Germination of seeds can be slow and difficult as they are spread by ants. It is possible to propagate from root division by transplanting the tiny root tubers. All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested in large quantities.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 5 in. | Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Other/more complex
Leaf shape
Deltoid
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Basal leaves are triangular in shape and thrice divided to give them a lacy effect. They are pale and waxy underneath. They are 5 to 9 inches long and 3 to 7 inches wide.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Urn
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers hang upside down on a 6-8 inch arching stem in an elongated terminal cluster of 4-8 blooms. Flowers are white to very pale pink, heart-shaped and 0.5 in. long with 2 spurs on the upper side. Flowers bloom April-May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
1/2 inch drooping seed capsules are a somewhat flattened oval. Each capsule divides into 2 parts to release several seeds. Fruits are available in June.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
SE. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A.
Distribution
CT , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Wildlife value
Squirrels and mice are attracted to the root tubers
Trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, labored breathing only if large quantities are eaten. Skin irritation after repeated contact with the cell sap. The reaction is mild and lasts for a few minutes