WSU Clark County Extension
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Scouler's Corydalis

Scientific name: Corydalis scouleri
Taxonomy
Family:Papaveraceae
Type:Groundcovers Herbaceus
Native:YES
Plant Requirements
Zone:6 to 8
Sun:Partial shade to full shade
Moisture:Wet
Plant Characteristics
Height:4 ft
Width:4 ft
Bloom:Showy flowers
Bloom Time:May to June
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description In the native woodland garden Scouler’s Corydalis resembles an overgrown bleeding heart with its airy foliage and pink blooms. Ripe seed pods seem to explode as they expel their seeds contained within. Also known as Scouler's Fumeroot.

  Morphology:
This is a perennial Northwest groundcover that is hairless and glaucous. It spreads from thick rhizomes holding its stems erect. Mature plants can grow to 4’ in height and width.

Leaves are arranged in an alternate fashion, with 3 leaflets. Foliage starts near or above the middle of the stem. The foliage has a parsley appearance.

Pink flowers emerge in May and extend into late June. They are showy, 1” long, with notable spurs. Flowers come as raceme and are held above the foliage beneath.

Flowers morph to pod-like fruit capsules that are egg- to pear-shaped, bursting open elastically when ripe to eject black, lustrous seeds.

  Adaptation:
This species prefers moist, usually shaded forest and stream banks at low elevations. All through areas west of the Cascades, this is a fairly common groundcover.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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