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Hill Farm Nursery

Cariboo-Grown & Cariboo-Hardy Perennials. Since 1991.

Corydalis aurea – YELLOW CORYDALIS

May 20, 2014 by leavesandpages

 

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Corydalis aurea – McLeese Lake, B.C. – May 17, 2014.  Image: HFN

Annual/Biennial. Zone 2. Fumariaceae. North America. Widespread throughout North America, in particular in areas disturbed by development, logging and forest fires. Common in the Cariboo-Chilcotin on recently disturbed ground – on graded roadsides, in gravel pits, and in newly logged areas.

This interesting and largely ephemeral early spring bloomer is occasionally abundant and always something of a surprise to see, appearing in the most unexpected places. Once it blooms in earliest spring, it quickly fades away after casting out its seeds, which can remain dormant for decades until germination conditions are again to its liking.

Technically a winter annual, Yellow Corydalis sprouts in the summer, makes an inconspicuous foliage clump which overwinters in semi-evergreen state, and then advances quickly into flowering stage in early spring. By July its life cycle is nearing its end; the beautiful, lacy, grey-green foliage is turning yellow and the plant is fading fast. No sign of it will be left by autumn.

Corydalis aurea - growing in a gravel pit near McLeese Lake, B.C. - May 17, 2014

Corydalis aurea – growing in a gravel pit near McLeese Lake, B.C. – May 17, 2014. Image: HFN

Plants expand quickly from their over-wintered rosettes, reaching 6 to 12 inches in height and spread. Roots are tap-rooted and fleshy, with spreading side roots. Foliage is rather “carrot-like” in appearance, being much divided, slightly succulent, and softly blue-green.

Tubular blooms are bright yellow blushed with green and are produced in great abundance during the few weeks of flowering time. Early-foraging wild bees are attracted to the nectar-rich blooms, and sometimes bore into the tubes to avoid having to negotiate their way past the stamens at the opening of the flowers.

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Corydalis aurea – detail of flower cluster. Image: HFN

Seeds produced by Corydalis aurea are small, black and shiny, and form encased in slender, cylindrical pods. They are very attractive to ants, who aid in their dispersal by caching the seeds in underground storage chambers; it is theorized that when these nests are disrupted the seeds are brought back to the surface where they then germinate in great abundance.

This plant may be introduced into the rock garden as it is very showy in early spring, but as its ongoing garden presence depends upon random germination of the seeds and the plants themselves disappear after blooming, it should be sited with this in mind, and not depended on as a feature plant.

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The tiny, slender, legume-like seed pods may be seen at the base of the central floral cluster. Image: HFN

Corydalis aurea is reportedly very toxic to sheep, and less so to cattle and horses, though I am unaware of any poisoning incidents in our region. Because of the plant’s early emergence, and its palatability – sheep paradoxically find it quite delicious – stock owners might be advised to keep an eye out for this plant when investigating their spring pastures before turnout.

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Posted in Full Sun, Plant Portraits, Spring, Xeriscape, Yellow | Tagged Corydalis aurea, Early Spring, Foliage Interest, Full Sun, Low growing, Native Wildflower, Plant Portraits, Xeriscape, Yellow |

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    Viola labradorica ‘purpurea’ syn. Viola riviniana ‘Purple Group’. PURPLE LABRADOR VIOLET. April 8, 2019.  Image: HFN

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  • Contact Info

    Hill Farm Nursery is located in a rural area north of McLeese Lake, B.C. We are not set up for on-farm visitors at present, but we hope to host you here in future years.
    For 2019 you can find us at:
    QUESNEL SEEDY SATURDAY
    HANDMADE IN THE CARIBOO SALE (Williams Lake)
    WILLIAMS LAKE SEEDY SATURDAY
    McLEESE LAKE MOTHER'S DAY MARKET
    WILLIAMS LAKE FARMERS' MARKET
    QUESNEL FARMERS' MARKET
    McLEESE LAKE FARMERS' MARKET
    1-250-297-6553 / bscharf@uniserve.com
  • QUESNEL SEEDY SATURDAY

    In the Atrium
    CNC Campus
    Saturday, April 13, 2019
    Time: 10 AM till 3 PM
    Hill Farm Nursery will be bringing in a selection of heirloom tomato starts, and perhaps some other antique, seed-saver-friendly garden treasures. See you there!
  • WILLIAMS LAKE SEEDY SATURDAY

    Williams Lake Farmers' Market site, in the parking lot between the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex and Kiwanis Park.
    Saturday, May 4, 2019
    Time: 10 AM till 2 PM
    Hill Farm Nursery hopes to attend! We will be bringing in a selection of heirloom tomato starts and seed-saver-friendly garden treasures. Hardy perennials, too, many with heritage history from the Cariboo and beyond!
  • QUESNEL FARMERS' MARKET

    Helen Dixon Centre
    241 Kinchant Street
    Quesnel. B.C.
    Saturdays, May till October
    8:30 AM till 1 PM
  • WILLIAMS LAKE FARMERS' MARKET

    Now in the parking lot beside the Recreation Centre/Pool. Head for Kiwanis Park and you'll find the Market!
    Fridays, May 10 till October 11, 2019
    9 AM till 2 PM
  • BLOCKS R US (Williams Lake)

    152 Old Soda Creek Road
    Williams Lake, B.C.
    Late April onwards.
    Monday to Saturday
    8AM till 5 PM
    Visit the landscaping experts at Blocks R Us for all your hardscaping needs, from topsoil to paving stones. Look for annuals from Frank's Nursery, and premium trees and shrubs from Bron and Sons. Hill Farm Nursery is not likely to be supplying plants to Blocks'R'Us in 2019 due to lack of sufficient stock this year to support a retail location but there will be some nice plants there from other growers - worth checking out!
  • McLEESE LAKE FARMERS' MARKET

    Lakeside Tourist Info Site, located between the Oasis Pub and the Oasis Cafe, and directly across from the McLeese Lake General Store.
    Sundays, May 19 till sometime in September, 2019
    Time: 9 A.M. till 1 P.M.
  • Affiliations

    Alpine Garden Club of British Columbia
    Alpine Garden Society (Great Britain)
    David Douglas Botanical Garden Society
    Growing North Cariboo Society (F.A.R.M.E.D.)
    North American Rock Garden Society (N.A.R.G.S.)
    Seeds of Diversity Canada

  • Places to Visit:

    SCOUT ISLAND NATURE CENTRE, Williams Lake, B.C. An oasis of peace on the outskirts of a bustling industrial area. Excellent trail network; something to see 365 days of the year - wildflowers, birds, aquatic life and small mammals. Nature centre, resource library, knowledgeable & enthusiastic naturalists on site.

    DAVID DOUGLAS BOTANICAL GARDEN, Prince George, B.C. Located at the University of Northern British Columbia. A small but interesting perennial flower display garden, lilac display, waterfall & bridge, and the Alice Wolczuk Alpine Garden.

    GOODSIR NATURE PARK, Salmon Valley, B.C. 20 miles north of Prince George. 160 acre private nature reserve, 6 miles of trails, open to the public May-Oct. Wildflowers & trees; an active beaver pond; plant museum, guided & self-guided tours; excellent signage; some rare plants. Picnic tables, firepits & camping available. Entry free; donations welcome.

    OSOYOOS DESERT CENTRE, Osoyoos, B.C. 2 km of boardwalk through B.C.'s rarest ecosystem, the "pocket desert." Wildflowers, birds, reptiles, small mammals. Guided & self-guided; small visitor centre.

    ANCIENT FOREST TRAIL, near Dome Creek, Robson Valley, B.C. (Along Highway 16, halfway between Prince George and McBride. Watch for large signs: "Ancient Forest".) Hiking trails through ancient cedar forest, including a recently completed 1/2 kilometer wheelchair accessible boardwalk portion. Built by dedicated volunteers; a prodigious amount of planning and sheer hard work went into this trail system, and it shows. Worth a stop to walk the boardwalk; you will be inspired to come back and hike the wilder trails as well. Huge cedar trees, ferns, water features - a prime example of B.C.'s rare and endangered Inland Rain Forest. Interpretive signage at parking lot, outhouses, well-thought-out wheelchair unloading/loading area and beautifully designed boardwalk. Donation box.

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