[The Genus Corydalis in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Clackamas Corydalis, Cold-water Corydalis, Marsh Corydalis

Corydalis aquae-gelidae

Synonym: Corydalis caseana ssp. aquae-gelidae

Cold-water corydalis as seen in steep wetland woods along headwater streams near the Clark-Skamania County Line, Gifford Pinchot National Forest..........July 17, 2014.

Characteristics:

Cold-water corydalis is a beautiful wildflower species with deep, fleshy roots giving rise to thick, hollow stems from 30-110 cm high. The stems may be simple to branched. The yellowish-green leaves are 4 to 6 times pinnate, with the lower leaves being up to 60 cm long. The leaflets are elliptic and from 5-12 mm long and 2-5 mm wide.

The racemes may be simple to compounded, and are closely 30-60 flowered. The pale to deeply pink corolla is from 12-20 mm long. The spur is from 9-11 mm long.

Habitat:

Cold-water corydalis grows in riparian habitats which have fast moving, very cold water.

Range:

Cold-water corydalis grows in one location in the Columbia River Gorge, and in several localities in the Clackamas River drainage east of Estacada, OR.

Cold-water corydalis as seen in steep wetland woods along headwater streams near the Clark-Skamania County Line, Gifford Pinchot National Forest..........July 17, 2014.

Clackamas Corydalis, Cold-water Corydalis, Marsh Corydalis: Corydalis aquae-gelidae (Synonym: Corydalis caseana ssp. aquae-gelidae)

Cold-water corydalis as seen in wetland woods along the Clackamas River, Mt. Hood National Forest.

Paul Slichter