Golden Corydalis

Corydalis aurea

Family: Fumariaceae – Fumitory Family

Corydalis aurea (Golden corydalis) is the only species from this family represented at Arches National Park.

Annual, biennial or perennial herbs with watery juice from taproots; 2.4” to 1.3' (6 to 40 cm) tall

Leaves: basal and alternate; compound; 0.12” to 0.32” (3 to 8 mm)

Flowers: racemes; 4 yellow petals (the 2 outer ones spreading at the apex, the 2 inner ones united), the outer pair of petals is dissimilar with 1 petal spurred, corolla 0.04” to 0.72” (1 to 18 mm) long, the spur 0.12” to 2.7” (3 to 67 mm) long; 2 sepals, bractlike; 6 stamens; 1 pistil

Pollinators: bees

Fruits: capsule

Blooms in Arches National Park: April, May

Habitat in Arches National Park: desert shrub and pinyon-juniper communities

Location seen: Salt Valley

Other: The genus name, “Corydalis”, is from the Latin “Corydalus” meaning “crested lark” in reference to the spur-shaped petal, which resembles the claw of a lark. The species name, “aurea”, means “golden”.