Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana
Sierra corydalis, fitweed, Fitweed
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Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana (Sierra corydalis) is a native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by . Clear size and habitat differences distinguish from Corydalis aurea.
Sierra corydalis is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada, southern Sierra Nevada in Tulare County, and southern Modoc Plateau in moist forest and streamside habitats at elevations of 1,100 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces delicate white to pale yellow flowers with distinctive spurs 16 to 25 millimeters long. Growing with tall, elegant stems 50 to 100 centimeters high, it forms graceful clusters in damp woodland settings. Its compound leaves are large and complex, spreading 15 to 35 centimeters with multiple intricate leaflets. The plant develops elongated racemes or panicles with slender fruits 10 to 15 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Clear size and habitat differences distinguish from Corydalis aurea
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist sites in forest and along streams
Elevation: 1100-2800 m
California counties: Tulare, Tehama, Butte, Lassen, Shasta, Plumas, Sierra, Placer, El Dorado, Los Angeles, Nevada, San Francisco
Bloom period
Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana blooms Jun-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 caseana subsp. caseana native to California?
Yes. Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana bloom?
Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana grow?
Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana occurs in Tulare, Tehama, Butte, Lassen, Shasta, Plumas, Sierra, Placer and other counties, at elevations of 1100-2800 m.
What plant family does Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana belong to?
Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Corydalis.
What habitat does Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana grow in?
Corydalis caseana subsp. caseana grows in Moist sites in forest and along streams.
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.