Corydalis

(Corydalis DC.)

Of the 21 Corydalis species native to the US, C. aurea, C. flavula, and C. sempervirens are the most widespread. Due to its wonderful analgesis action, the non-native C. yanhusuo is widely used in herbal medicine.

Other Names:
Scrambled eggs, golden smoke, golden corydalis, yellow fumewort, yellow harlequin, fume-root, yellow fumitory, harlequin corydalis, pale corydalis, pink corydalis, rock harlequin

Range:


Family:
Papaveraceae - Poppy family
(Sub-Family: Fumariaceae - Fumitory Family)

Growth Type:
Herbaceous plant that is typically perennial,but some species are annuals.

Height:
The plant is often reclining, or trailing but some species are errect. The stems of most species can grow up to 3 feet long/tall

Leaves:
The pinnate leaves are often pale blue-green to blue-grey in color, and divided into leaflets with ovate to diamond shaped lobes.

Stem/Trunk:
Reaching approximately 15" long, the stems grow along the ground or another surface, with the extremity reaching upward. Like the leaves, the stems are often pale blue-green to blue-grey in color.

Root:
Branching caudex (a rootstock from which new growth sprouts)

Flower Season:
May to September

Flower Appearance:
While vrying in color from yellow to purple, the tubular flowers are bilaterally symmetrical. They are approximately 1 cm long, have 4 petals, and 6 stamen. They have a pouch-like spur at the bottom of the four petalsThe flowers are borne in racemes of up to 30 flowers, each on a short stem.

Seed/Fruit:
Long thin cylindrical seed pods containing shiny blacks seeds.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A

Habitat:
Poor soils of Sagebrush steppes and rocky outcrops

Parts Used:
Root/Rhizome

Culinary Uses:
None Known

Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Corydalis has been used to treat Constipation, Cramps, Depression, Dyspepsia, Fibromyalgia, Hypertension, Neuropathy, Myalgia, Neuralgia, and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).

Medicinal Actions:
Analgesic, Anodyne, Antispasmodic, Spasmolytic