Scouler's Fumewort, Scouler's Corydalis, Western Corydalis: Corydalis scouleri

The photo at right shows a close-up of the lacy foliage of western corydalis. The blades are several times pinnately compound with oblong leaf sections or leaflets which are glaucous on their surfaces. Photographed in the western Columbia River Gorge about one mile east of Crown Point.......April 15, 2006.

Characteristics:

Western corydalis is an attractive perennial wildflower that grows from a thick rhizome, with erect, hollow stems from 60-120 cm tall. The stems may be simple or branched, with the 3 leaves all found about mid-stem. The leaves are 3-4 times pinnately compound, with the leaflets lanceolate to oblong-elliptic and from 2-8 cm long and 5-12 mm wide. The leaves and stems are both glabrous and glaucous.

The inflorescence is a raceme, which may be 15-35 flowered. The corollas are pink and range from 20-30 mm long with a spur from 12-20 mm in length. The spurs are about 2-3 times longer than the rest of the flower. The fruit is an elliptical capsule which is pendulous and measures from 8-10 mm long.

I occasionally see this species for sale at wildflower nurseries and botanical garden sales on the west side of the Cascades. I'd imagine it would make an attractive addition for the middle or back of the woodland border. Be sure to plant it in a thick layer of loamy soil that will be kept fairly moist through the spring.

Western corydalis is a plant of moist soil at low elevations in moist, shady woods and especially along streams.

Western corydalis may be found west of the Cascade Mts. from British Columbia to northern Oregon.

In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between Crown Point and Cascade Locks, OR, between the elevations of 100'-1600'.

The photo above shows a close-up of the slipper-like flower of western corydalis as seen about one mile east of Crown Point in the western Columbia River Gorge.......April 15, 2006.

The photo above shows the inflorescence of western corydalis as seen at McCord Creek Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.......April 20, 2006.

Western corydalis as seen along the Angel's Rest Trail in the western Columbia River Gorge.........April 21, 2009.

A close-up of the inflorescence of western corydalis as seen above the upper falls at McCord Creek in the western Columbia River Gorge........April 22, 2009.

Close-ups of the inflorescence of western corydalis as seen above the upper falls at McCord Creek in the western Columbia River Gorge........May 20, 2009.

Western corydalis blooming along the edge of Tanner Creek as seen from the Wahclella Falls Trail, Columbia River Gorge........April 22, 2013.

Western corydalis blooming along the loop trail around the lower and upper falls on Latourell Creek, Guy Talbot State Park, Columbia River Gorge........April 11, 2014.