Pink Corydalis - Corydalis sempervirens - Home - Plant Profiles & Photos

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Corydalis sempervirens, pink corydalis, is a delicate biennial herbaceous native plant that can be found on rocky summits. An older scientific name is Capnoides sempervirens. Other common names include pale corydalis and rock harlequin.

Flowers

Corydalis sempervirens, pale corydalis, is part of the Fumitory (Fumariaceae) family of plants that include two other familiar plants: squirrel corn and Dutchman's breeches.


Inflorescence
The showy clusters of mauve-pink tube-like flowers hang from the ends of branched stems. The clusters contain from 1 - 8 flowers.

Cluster of flowers: side views. Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - inflorescence

Cluster of flowers: top front views, flowers are narrow. Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - inflorescence


Flowers

The Corydalis sempervirens flower has 2 pink sepals (one on each side) and 4 pink petals with yellow tips. It has 2 outer petals, upper and lower and two inner petals, upper and lower. The outer upper petal has a blunt spur at the back that contains nectar. The yellow tips of the outer petals are broad and have side wings that fold back.

The two inner petals are claw shaped - spoon shaped. The petals are narrow at the base (claw) and abruptly wide at the tip (blade). The claw section is much longer than the blade. There is a high keel on the yellow tips of the each inner petal. The two inner petals are attached at the tips and there is one keel on top and one below.

Shown are the sepal, blunt spur, as well as the petals and yellow tips. The flowers are up to 3/4 inches long. It is difficult to see the edges of the petals. Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - flower, petals

View more from the back. Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - flower, petals



Close-up view of the yellow tips.
Red arrow: outer upper petal with wings folding upwards
Green arrow: attached upper and lower inner petals
Blue arrow: outer lower petal with wings folding downwards Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - flower, petals, yellow tips

Shown is a closer look at the attached inner petals with the sharp keels of the upper and lower petals.
Also the outer lower petal is more clearly shown. Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - flower, petals, yellow tips



Inside the flower there are 6 stamens and 1 pistil. We can see them in some older flowers.

Shown is an older open flower exposing the stigma and the anthers. Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - flower - anthers, stigma

Shown is a close-up of the stigma and anthers. The stigma is triangular with 4 papillae (bumps) Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - flower - anthers, stigma



Another open flower and stamens have fallen down on to the lower outer lip Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - flower - anthers, stigma

Buds Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - flower buds



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Fruit

Fruit

Pink corydalis fruit is an erect straight narrow capsule up to about 1.5 inches. Its surface is rough. The seeds are about 1mm and are dispersed by ants.

Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - fruit Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - fruit



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Leaves

Pink corydalis leaves are alternate and compound with 3-4 leaflets which have lobes. The margins are smooth. The upper leaves are sessile and the lower leaves have petioles (leaf stalks). Photos of cauline (stem) leaves and basal leaves:

Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - leaves Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - leaves Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis - leaves


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Plant & Habitat

Pink corydalis is biennial, so first the plant from seed produces a basal rosette of leaves. The next year it sends up a branched stem with cauline leaves and many flowers. Usually there is one stem and sometimes many. However, some references have said that the plant is annual or perennial. The stem ranges from 12 to 30 inches tall.

Pink corydalis is usually found on rocky ledges, summits, and disturbed areas that have partial or full sun. It is native to northeastern North America.

In NJ, pink corydalis is S4 - Apparently Secure. In iNaturalist, in NJ, pink corydalis was found mainly in the northern counties (2024).

Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis -plant -habitat Corydalis sempervirens - Pink Corydalis -plant - habitat




Text by Millie Ling and all photos by Hubert & Millie Ling. Photos: High Point State Park, Sussex County. All photos taken 5/24 and 5/30 2023. See iNaturalist.org for locations.

Additional information / References

Additional information / references:


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