Corydalis aurea
Golden corydalis
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Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Corydalis aurea (Golden corydalis) is a native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by . Clear size and habitat differences distinguish from Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana.
Golden corydalis is a California native perennial found in the Great Basin bioregion in loose soil of open areas at elevations of 1,500 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces golden yellow flowers with distinctive spurs 13 to 16 millimeters long. Growing with delicate stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms an elegant, open habit with several to many finely divided leaves. Its compound leaves are 3 to 18 centimeters long, intricately dissected with lacy, light green leaflets. The plant produces elongated fruits 18 to 25 millimeters long, adding architectural interest to its delicate structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Clear size and habitat differences distinguish from Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana
Habitat and range
Habitat: Loose soil in open areas
Elevation: 1500-2800 m
California counties: Modoc, Lassen, Mono, Plumas
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern United States, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Corydalis aurea blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Fumaria: Corydalis has elongated seed capsules that split; Fumaria has round single-seed nutlets.; vs Oxalis: Corydalis has spurred irregular flowers; Oxalis has symmetrical 5-petaled flowers and clover leaves.; vs Ehrendorferia: Corydalis has one-spurred lopsided flowers; Ehrendorferia has symmetrical two-pouched flowers.; vs Dicentra: Corydalis has one upper spur; Dicentra has two matching pouches.
Frequently asked questions
Is Corydalis aurea native to California?
Yes. Corydalis aurea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Corydalis aurea bloom?
Corydalis aurea blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Corydalis aurea grow?
Corydalis aurea occurs in Modoc, Lassen, Mono, Plumas, at elevations of 1500-2800 m.
What plant family does Corydalis aurea belong to?
Corydalis aurea is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Corydalis.
What habitat does Corydalis aurea grow in?
Corydalis aurea grows in Loose soil in open areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.