Dicentra formosa (Pacific bleeding heart) gets its Latin genus name dicentra for the spurs on the outer pedals, and formosa for its beautiful appearance. The bleeding heart can measure between fifteen and fifty centimeters tall, with the flowers populating the end of the protruding stems. The leaves are basal and plentiful, and are divided many times into frawn-like leaves with big teeth-like margins on the end. The flowers are distinguishable by their purple-pink, heart-shaped pedals hanging upside down, with the pistils surrounded by the unfurled tips. There are typically five to fifteen on the top of the tems. They thrive in moist areas like forests, banks of streams, and ravines.
- Leaves branch off like ferns, basal and numerous, with long stalks
- Flowers are purple-pink and heart-shaped hanging upside down
- Pedals unfurl at the tip exposing the stamen
- Come in cluster of five to fifteen at the top of the stem
