Scientific Family
Fumariaceae
Synonyms
Capnoides aureum, Capnoides montanum, Corydalis curvisiliqua
Other common names
golden corydalis
golden smoke
scrambled eggs
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
1-1/2 feet
Riparian
Yes
A short lived perennial. Has many branches that are often supported or prostrate due to weak stems. Inflorescence can exceed leaves. Has a slender taproot.
Winter annual to biennial herb, smooth stems prostrate to ascending, simple to diffusely branching. Leaves alternate, once or twice pinnately compound. Flowers yellow and borne in terminal racemes. Seedpod linear, curved and constricted between seeds.
Habitat
Occurs in pastures, bottomlands, prairies, plains, foothills, mesas, ditches, railroad embankments and washes in loose, often sandy, dry soil and moist riparian areas.
Plant Community
Riparian
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
1500
High elevation
9500
Flower Characteristics
To 3/4 inch long in a spike-like cluster.
Flower color
Golden yellow
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Finely dissected and slightly succulent to 6 inches long.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Silvery bluish-green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Dissected
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule is flat-sided, narrow and curved to 1 inch long.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Green
Seeds are smooth and have narrow marginal ring. Diameter <1/16 inch.