Scientific Family
Fumariaceae
Synonyms
Capnoides montanum, Corydalis aurea var. curvisiliqua, C. curvisiliqua var. tenerior, C. aurea ssp. occidentalis, C. montana
Other common names
curvepod corydalis
scrambled eggs
golden smoke
large-bracted corydalis
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Biennial or perennial
Height
To nearly 14 inches
Riparian
No
1 to several stems are upright but may grow flat on the ground; grayish-green leaves are deeply cut into many sections; yellow flowers that curve backwards grow to about 3/4 inch in spike-like clusters of 6 to 18 that stand above the leaves.
Annual, biennial, short-lived perennial; stems 1 to several, erect to ascending; leaves dissected, 3 oblong leaflets with smooth margins and a powdery bloom; flowers yellow; 2 sepals unite into a cap that pushes off with expanding petals; fruit erect.
Habitat
Found on loose, often dry, sandy soil in open areas such as prairies, plains, meadows, pastures, savannas, edges of woodlands, hillsides, slopes, ditches, railroad embankments and washes.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
4000
Flower Characteristics
Each flower has 4 petals with the outer 2 petals enclosing the inner 2. 1 petal of each bloom has a short, straight, bag-like structure (spur) at the base which projects backwards and holds nectar for insects. The "spur" is a useful identifying feature.
Flower color
Pale to bright yellow
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems are slightly succulent usually growing upright but may spread flat on the ground; feather-like leaves grow to about 6 inches long with blades that are divided into several rows of leaflets; final leaflet at the blade tip is egg-shaped or oblong.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Dissected
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The fruit is 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, narrow, slender, usually strongly curved inward but may be straight.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Green
Each seed about 1/16 inch in diameter, circular, black, shiny and may have a marginal ring. Under magnification, the seed appears distinctly roughened or has a slight net-like pattern on its surface. Seeds require an after-ripening period to germinate.