Tuberous Corydalis

The tuberous Corydalis, unlike Corydalis flexuosa and the Corydalis elata for example, grows from a bulb or more precisely from a tubercle. We distinguish Corydalis solida, the tuberculate corydalis or full bulb native to central and southern Europe up to western Russia, from Corydalis cava, the full bulb corydalis present in France.

The tuberous Corydalis is a pretty little plant from the poppy family, related to bleeding hearts, cultivated in gardens for its beautiful spring flowers. Its spikes of tubular flowers come in various colours ranging from white to pale and dark pinks, reddish tones, and purples depending on the varieties. They bloom on finely cut foliage, resembling a bush filled with birds. The foliage disappears in summer. Corydalis plants are alpine plants found in damp woodland: plant the tubercles in partial shade or non-burning sunlight, in well-drained soil that remains moist, even if it is limestone.