Corydalis micrantha
Corydalis flavula
smallflower corydalis, smallflower fumewort
pale corydalis, short-spur corydalis, yellow corydalis, yellow fumewort
1-several, erect to prostrate-ascending, (1.5-)2-4(-6) dm.
1-several, initially erect, often becoming prostrate or ascending, usually 1.5-3 dm.
crowded, compound;
blade with 2 orders of leaflets and lobes; ultimate lobes ovate, oblong-elliptic, or obovate, margins incised, apex subapiculate.
compound;
blade with 2 orders of leaflets and lobes; ultimate lobes elliptic, variable in size, margins incised, apex subapiculate.
racemose, (6-)10-16(-20)-flowered, primary racemes slightly to conspicuously exceeding leaves, secondary racemes fewer flowered, exceeded by leaves, cleistogamous-flowered racemes frequently present, 1-5-flowered, inconspicuous;
bracts elliptic to attenuate-ovate, 5-8 × 2-4 mm, margins denticulate, distal bracts usually much reduced, those of cleistogamous racemes minute.
racemose, commonly 6-10-flowered, equaling or barely exceeding leaves, sometimes poorly developed, cleistogamous-flowered racemes present, inconspicuous, 1-5-flowered;
bracts elliptic, 6-12 × 3-7 mm, proximal bracts often leaflike or variously incised, distal reduced and entire.
erect or spreading;
pedicel 2-6 mm;
sepals ovate, to 1.5 mm, margins often sinuate or dentate;
petals pale to medium yellow; spurred petal slightly to strongly curved, (11-)12-14(-15) mm, spur straight, 4-7 mm, apex obtuse or ± globose, crest low, wrinkled, rarely obsolescent, marginal wing well developed, sometimes revolute, unspurred outer petal slightly bent, 9-11 mm, crest low;
inner petals oblanceolate, 7-10 mm, blade apex 2 times or more wider than base, basal lobes obscure, claw 3-4 mm; nectariferous spur straight or curved, sometimes clavate, ca. 3/5 length of petal spur;
style ca. 4 mm;
stigma rectangular, 2-lobed, 1/2 as long as wide, with 8 papillae.
erect;
pedicel slender, 6-15 mm or more;
sepals lanceolate, ca. 1 mm;
petals pale yellow, spurred petal 7-9 mm, spur incurved, ca. 2 mm, crest high, marginal wing well developed, both crest and wing wrinkled or dentate, unspurred outer petal similar to spurred petal, 6-8 mm;
inner petals 5-7 mm, blade apex ca. 2 times wider than distinctly lobed base, claw 2-3 mm; nectariferous spur less than 1/2 length of petal spur;
style 1.5-2 mm;
stigma wider than long, with 4 terminal papillae.
erect, linear, slender, straight to slightly incurved, 10-35 mm, essentially glabrous, usually shorter in cleistogamous-flowered racemes.
pendent, linear, straight or sometimes reflexed, (14-)18-20(-22) mm.
ca. 1.5 mm diam., concentrically and minutely decorated, marginal ring absent.
ca. 2 mm diam., minutely decorated on narrow marginal ring.
Corydalis micrantha
Corydalis flavula
Subspecies 3 (3 in the flora).
Corydalis micrantha can be distinguished readily from other yellow-flowered North American species by its very small seeds. Cleistogamy is encountered regularly in C. micrantha. A single plant from any part of the range may have only cleistogamous flowers, only chasmogamous flowers, or both types. Plants having only cleistogamous flowers usually are much more profusely and delicately branched. In C. micrantha, at least, shade and age appear to play roles in the initiation of cleistogamy.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
1. Racemes of chasmogamous flowers not greatly exceeding leaves, often short; petal spur ± globose at apex; capsules often stout, commonly 10–15 mm. | subsp. micrantha |
1. Racemes of chasmogamous flowers often greatly exceeding leaves, elongate; petal spur blunt, not globose at apex; capsules slender, commonly 15–30 mm. | → 2 |
2. Stems usually weak; capsules commonly 15–20 mm. | subsp. australis |
2. Stems usually stout; capsules commonly 21–35 mm. | subsp. texensis |
IL Wildflowers
KS Wildflowers
LA Plants
MN Wildflowers
MO Plants
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USDA Plants Database
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