Corydalis — identification & habitat

Corydalis is a group of wildflowers found in U.S. woods, on rocky slopes, and in western mountains. Finely divided leaves and clusters of tubular flowers with a single nectar-holding pouch extending backward help identify the group. Members include native species and garden escapes, such as the rapidly spreading incised fumewort (Corydalis incisa).

In this group

yellow corydalisCorydalis flavula

A native eastern and central spring wildflower, it has yellow flowers and blue-green to green, finely divided leaves.

golden corydalisCorydalis aurea

A native annual or biennial of open rocky or sandy ground, it has pale yellow flowers and usually upright pods.

incised fumewortCorydalis incisa

This invasive East Asian species has purple flowers and very deeply divided leaves; it is spreading in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

Scouler's corydalisCorydalis scouleri

A tall native of moist Pacific Northwest woods and streambanks, it bears showy pink flowers in spring.

fitweedCorydalis caseana

A western mountain perennial, it forms upright clusters of pink to purple flowers in moist sites.

bird-in-a-bushCorydalis solida

A Eurasian bulb-like perennial grown in gardens, it may persist or escape locally and has dense pink-purple spring flowers.

Appearance

Growth form: The genus includes annuals, biennials, and perennial herbs with thick main roots, , or underground stems. Some spring species disappear above ground soon after setting seed.
Flowers: Flowers may be yellow, pink, purple, blue, or white. Their hooded, tubular shape is often more useful than color for recognizing the genus.
Fruit: The fruit is usually an elongated that splits into two halves and releases several seeds.
How to recognize it: Leaves are usually divided into many soft-looking lobes. The irregular flowers grow in a , and the upper petal extends backward into one nectar-holding .

Look-alikes

fumitoriesFumaria

Both groups have finely divided leaves and one-spurred flowers. Fumitories (Fumaria) make small, rounded, one-seeded fruits, while Corydalis usually makes elongated capsules with several seeds.

Why they get mixed upThe flowers have a similar smoky, tubular look, and the common names fumitory and fumewort overlap.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: woodland edges
rocky slopes
riverbanks
disturbed ground
Range: The genus is native across the temperate Northern Hemisphere. U.S. members include eastern and central yellow-flowered species, western mountain species, and a few introduced Eurasian or East Asian plants.
Preferred conditions: Habitats vary from moist eastern woods to dry rocky slopes and western mountains. A habitat match is important because flower shape is similar across many species.

Life cycle

Reproduction: Species reproduce by seed, and many perennials return from a tuber or underground stem.
Seed dispersal: Some species eject seeds from ripe capsules, and ants may carry seeds that have a small food-rich attachment.

Name and classification

About the name: Older classifications placed Corydalis in a separate fumitory family; today it is grouped with poppies.
Group name: Corydalis species are often called fumeworts; some are called corydalises. Individual species often have their own names.
Number of species: About 550 species occur worldwide.

Conservation

Threats: Incised fumewort is an emerging invasive plant in the eastern United States. It can form dense patches in moist woods and streamside habitats.

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