Etymology
Capnoides is Greek for looking like smoke; sempervirens is Latin for always flourishing.
Native Habitat
Cooler areas of sunny to part-shade meadows, rocky ledges, and dry, sandy wood and stream edges.
Garden Uses
Pink corydalis is easy to grow, and is often able to thrive in dry, difficult soil, including rock gardens and between patio pavers. With attractive foliage and dainty flowers, it will intermingle with other species, but may be planted in small or large masses in butterfly, cottage, meadow and border gardens.
Overview
An herbaceous annual or biennial, pink corydalis produces only a basal rosette of leaves in year one. Year two presents delicate, lacy, erect, blue-green foliage bearing long-blooming, unique pink and yellow tubular flowers, followed by long, narrow seed pods, which offer an extended season of interest. In optimal settings, pink corydalis can form thick masses, but these are generally transient as other species typically have a competitive advantage.
Leaves and Stems
Slender, branching, smooth, blue-green stems arise 12" to 32 " from basal leaves. Leaves are blue-green, waxy, hairless, alternate, and finely divided compound in groups of 3 to 5. Each measures 3" to 6" in length, and 1" to 3" in width. Upper leaves are stalkless (sessile), and lower leaves are stalked (petiolate).
Flowers
Pink corydalis produces small (.5") tubular, bicolored flowers with 4-5 fused petals in a drooping sac-like form with a blunt spur at the back. These appear in clusters at stem tips.
Fruit/Seed
A narrow seed capsule longer than 2" forms after flowers fade, bearing many tiny seeds.
Animal Associates
Butterflies and bumblebees feed on the nectar of pink corydalis. Its seeds are dispersed by ants.
Propagation
Sow seeds as soon as they mature. If early in the season, an immediate central rosette of leaves will form followed by blooms the second year. If sown late in the season, cold stratification occurs, with the basal rosette forming the next spring, and the plant blooms the following year.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Some corydalis species have sedative and pain-killing compounds, but many also contain toxic alkaloids.
Garden Location
Performance Hall Garden (see garden map)
Anecdotal Information
This plant was formerly categorized as a member of the fumitory family (Fumariaceae).
Sources
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Plant Profile by Kate O'Dell