Korean corydalis (Corydalis turtschaninovii) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Korean corydalis is a small perennial native to northeastern Asia that grows in open woods and along woodland edges. Its blue, violet-tinged, or white flowers have a long extension at the back that holds nectar, and the leaflike part just below each flower is deeply divided. It is not native to the United States.

Appearance

Appearance: The below each flower is usually wedge-shaped and deeply divided, a useful close-up feature.
Growth form: This grows about 4–12 in (10–30 cm) tall from a round yellow tuber 0.4–1 in (1–2.5 cm) wide.
Leaves: The stem usually carries two leaves, each divided into many rounded, oblong, or narrow segments.
Flowers: A stem bears about 5–20 blue, white, or deep blue flowers. Each flower has a long rear that holds nectar.
Fruit: The fruit is a narrow about 0.6–1 in (1.6–2.6 cm) long.

Look-alikes

Spring corydalisCorydalis solida

Spring corydalis grows in New England gardens and has also naturalized there. Its spurred purple flowers can look similar; a flower photo alone may not reliably separate the two, so check the plant label or other parts before naming it.

Why they get mixed upBoth are low spring plants with divided leaves and spurred flowers.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: open woods
woodland edges
Range: Its native range extends across northeastern Asia, including Korea, northeastern China, and the Russian Far East. It is not native to the United States.
Preferred conditions: It grows in temperate open woodland and along forest edges.

Life cycle

Reproduction: Smooth seeds about 0.06 in (1.5 mm) wide are arranged in one row inside the capsule.

Name and classification

About the name: This species has two . The subspecies vernyi occurs in Japan, while Corydalis lineariloba is a separate species. Capnoides turtschaninovii and Pistolochia turtschaninovii are older scientific names for this species.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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