Found in rich, moist woodlands in April.

The flower-stems and leaves (from 5 to 8 inches in height) spring from the root.

The large feathery leaf is many times divided and sub-divided in groups of threes, the margin being entire. In texture it is thin and delicate, the surface being noticeably cool to the touch; in color, gray-green, bluish underneath. It is borne on a pale, juicy stem, which is tinged with pink or reddish at the foot. Several leaves spring up enclosed by 2 or 3 dry, reddish sheaths.

The petals of this curious flower are 4 in number, one pair being joined together to form a 2-spurred heart-shaped bag, with its spurs spread widely apart; the other 2 petals held within the narrow mouth of the bag are very small, and join their tips over the slightly protruding stamens; the texture is very thin and delicate and slightly ribbed; the color of the petals is a pure white, the spurs being tipped with pure yellow. The 2 divisions of the small calyx hug the bag betwixt the spurs,—it is white, a trifle tinted with green. The foot-stem on which the bag hangs is small and pale; the flowers are set in a nodding row upon the long curving or upright stem, which is pale or tinted red.

In New England this is a less common variety than its sister Squirrel Corn, D. Canadensis, which is very like, though smaller and pink-tinted instead of yellow.