Corydalis

Corydalis is a genus of about 300 species belonging to the former Fumariaceae family, which is since APG III included as subfamily Fumarioideae in the Papaveraceae family. This genus is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, North America, and the mountains of Africa. Some have tubers or enlarged rhizomes, and others are strictly fibrous-rooted. The former are handily divided into woodland and scree species, for purposes of cultivation. The genus name comes from the Greek korydalís "crested lark" which roughly represents the characteristic flower shape. An excellent reference book on the geophytic species of this genus was written by Magnus Lidén and Henrik Zetterlund in 1997. A more recent (2008) guide for the genus and related genera was written by Mark Tebbitt, Lidén, and Zetterlund.

The tuberous species in particular are often grown in bulb collections and are propagated by increase of the tubers (typically slow) or by seed (which germinates best if sown fresh). Seeds collected and sown within the year at the beginning of fall (September-October) usually yields good germination. Seeds should be stored in moist sand, which seems to help with viability. Many beautiful images of the geophytic forms can be seen on John Lonsdale's website.

The table below contains links to pages describing each species separately. To see all the species together visit Corydalis Species.


Corydalis Species
Corydalis afghanica ssp. elegans, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
afghanica
Corydalis aitchinsonii, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
aitchinsonii
Corydalis angustifolia, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
angustifolia
Corydalis bracteata, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
bracteata
Corydalis buschii, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
buschii
Corydalis caucasica, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
caucasica
Corydalis cava 'Szép', Janos Agoston [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
cava
Corydalis cheilanthifolia, Martin Bohnet [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
cheilanthifolia
Corydalis chionophila, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
chionophila
Corydalis decipiens, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
decipiens
Corydalis erdellii, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
erdellii
Corydalis flexuosa, Ian Young [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
flexuosa
Corydalis fumariifolia, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
fumariifolia
Corydalis glaucescens, Andrey Dedov [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
glaucescens
Corydalis henrikii, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
henrikii
Corydalis kusnetzovii, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
kusnetzovii
Corydalis ledebouriana, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
ledebouriana
Corydalis magadanica, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
magadanica
Corydalis malkensis, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
malkensis
Corydalis maracandica, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
maracandica
Corydalis nobilis, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
nobilis
Corydalis nudicaulis, Martin Bohnet [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
nudicaulis
Corydalis ornata, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
ornata
Corydalis paschei, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
paschei
Corydalis popovii, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
popovii
Corydalis pumila, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
pumila
Corydalis ruksansii, Bob Nold [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
ruksansii
Corydalis schanginii subsp. ainae, Jane McGary [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
schanginii
Corydalis sewerzowii, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
sewerzowii
Corydalis solida, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
solida
Corydalis vittae, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
vittae
Corydalis wendelboi, John Lonsdale [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
wendelboi

Return to the PBS wiki Photographs And Information Page
Page last modified on March 15, 2021, at 02:59 AM
Powered by PmWiki