Corydalis heterocarpa var. japonica
Family
Papaveraceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Conservation status
Not applicable
Brief description
Glabrous herb, leaves pale green, thin, soft, 2-3 pinnate; petioles almost succulent with many pink striae at base; corolla mostly yellow - upper lobe has a distal brown spot and white at tip. Fruit a pod-like capsule. Self-establishing under trees and on earth paths.
Flower colours
Brown, Yellow
Life cycle
Self-seeding
Year naturalised
2015 (near Rangitikei River, Kakariki)
Origin
Japan
Reason for introduction
Ornamental
Etymology
corydalis: From korydalis the Greek name for the crested lark, which derives korys ‘helmet’; alluding to the shape of the petals
japonica: Of Japan
Attribution
fact sheet prepared by Colin C Ogle, October 2016