1 / 10

Corydalis flavula

yellow corydalis

Papaveraceae Eastern and central North America

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

Overview

Corydalis flavula is a low annual or biennial wildflower in the poppy family, growing 6-14 in (15-35 cm) tall on weak, sprawling stems. The blue-green leaves are finely divided into many small segments, giving a soft, lacy look. From April to May the plant bears short racemes of pale yellow flowers about 0.3 in (6-8 mm) long, each with a short rounded spur at the back and a toothed crest on the upper petal. The flowers are followed by slender curved seed capsules that split to scatter shiny black seeds, each with a small oil-rich appendage that ants carry off. The plant grows in moist deciduous woods, on floodplains, wooded slopes, and shaded rocky banks across eastern and central North America. It appears in early spring, sets seed, and dies back by early summer, relying on self-seeding to return. It tolerates shade and rich, damp soil but fades quickly in heat and drought. It resembles Corydalis sempervirens but has shorter spurs and pale yellow rather than pink flowers.

Native Range

Corydalis flavula is native to eastern and central North America, from Ontario and New York west to Minnesota and south to Georgia and Texas. It grows in moist woodlands, floodplains, wooded slopes, and shaded rocky ground.

Suggested Uses

Corydalis flavula is used in woodland and shade gardens, native plantings, and naturalized drifts under deciduous trees. Its early flowers add spring color before taller plants emerge, and the seeds are spread by ants. It combines with spring ephemerals such as trout lily, bloodroot, and wild ginger.

How to Identify

Corydalis flavula is recognized by its blue-green, finely dissected foliage and short racemes of pale yellow flowers, each with a short spur and a toothed crest on the upper petal. The slender curved capsules and shiny black seeds confirm it. Its shorter spurs and yellow flowers separate it from the pink-flowered Corydalis sempervirens.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'2"

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Spring

Flowering runs from April to May in early spring before the tree canopy closes. The small pale yellow flowers open in short clusters at the stem tips. Seeds ripen within weeks, and the plant dies back by early summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

blue-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Corydalis flavula grows in part to full shade on moist, humus-rich soil and behaves as a spring annual or biennial. It is sown from fresh seed in summer or autumn and germinates with cool, moist conditions. The plant needs steady spring moisture and fades as soil warms and dries. No winter care applies once seed has set. It self-sows where leaf litter and damp soil remain undisturbed, returning each spring. Rich woodland soil and light shade match its native habitat.

Pruning

Pruning is not used for this short-lived plant. Spent stems dry and die back by early summer and can be cleared once seed has dropped. Leaving plants to self-seed maintains the colony from year to year.