Corydalis cava

Corydalis cava, is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae, native to moist, shady habitats in central Europe and southeast Europe. Growing to 15 cm (6 in) to 30 cm (12 in), it is a spring ephemeral, with foliage that appears in spring and dies down to its tuberous rootstock in summer. It shows long-spurred flowers which appear in spring. The flowers show color variation, and may be mauve, purple, red, or white.

Corydalis cava
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Papaveraceae
Genus: Corydalis
Species:
C. cava
Binomial name
Corydalis cava
(L.) Schweigg. & Körte

Seeds

The seeds contain an elaiosome that attracts ants, which transport the seeds into their ant colony. This seed transportation is called myrmecochory.

Toxicity
Structure of the isoquinoline alkaloid Canadine

Many of the species in Corydalis contain alkaloids like canadineand corydaline, which blocks calcium. The largest amount is part of the isoquinoline alkaloid group.[1] All parts of the plant contain the alkaloid but the highest concentrations are present in the hollow root.


Corydalis cava and some other tuberous species contain the alkaloid bulbocapnine, which is occasionally used in medicine but scientific evidence is lacking in the correct dosages and side effects.[2]

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References
  1. Whitney, Stephen (1985). Western Forests (The Audubon Society Nature Guides). New York: Knopf. p. 556. ISBN 0-394-73127-1.
  2. "CORYDALIS". WebMD. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
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