Among the Corydalis spp. with yellow flowers in Illinois, Slender Corydalis has smaller than average flowers (about 1/3–1/2" long). Only Corydalis flavula (Pale Corydalis) has smaller flowers (about 1/4–1/3"), while the others have larger flowers (about 1/2–1" long). Pale Corydalis also has longer pedicels (1/4–3/4") than Slender Corydalis. The foliage of Slender Corydalis has a similar appearance to other Corydalis spp., except the lobes of its pinnately compound leaves have tips that are more blunt than some of the others. A closely related subspecies is Corydalis micrantha australis (Prairie Corydalis). This latter subspecies has longer seedpods (about 2/3–4/3" long) and longer flowering stalks that extend beyond the foliage. Other Corydalis spp. differ from Slender Corydalis by having constricted or knobby seedpods that are less erect, and some Corydalis spp. have larger seeds (1.5–2.0 mm. across).

This native plant is a winter or spring annual. A typical plant consists of a rosette of basal leaves about 8" across and several flowering stalks about 8" long. The blades of the basal leaves are up to 3" long and 2" across; they are pinnately compound, dull green to greyish blue, and hairless. The small lobes of the blades taper to obtuse points. The basal leaves have long slender petioles that are about as long as the blades. Alternate leaves occur along the flowering stalks. They are similar in appearance to the basal leaves, except that they are smaller in size and their petioles are shorter. The flowering stalks are are pale green to pale reddish green, hairless, and somewhat glaucous; they are spreading, ascending, or erect. Each stalk terminates in a raceme of flowers up to 3" long. Each flower has a corolla consisting of 2 outer petals that are pale yellow to yellow and 2 inner petals that are more white and membranous. The upper outer petal forms a fringed upper lip in front and a rounded nectar spur in back; the top of the upper lip has a greenish yellow keel that may be slightly winged or crested. The lower outer petal forms a lower lip that functions as a landing pad for visiting insects; the bottom of the lower lip also has a greenish yellow keel that is similar to the upper keel. The inner petals are largely hidden by the outer petals, except when the flower is fully open; at that time, they are pale white or greenish yellow. Each flower is about 1/3" to 1/2" long and its pedicel is 1/4" or less. At the base of each pedicel, there is a single leafy bract up to 1/3" long; this small bract is ovate or ovate-lanceolate. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 1–1½ months. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is replaced by a seedpod up to 2/3" long. Each seedpod is up to 2/3" long, dull green, slightly glaucous, and cylindrical in shape; several pale veins may be detectable that run along its length. The tip of each seedpod terminates in a beak. The surface of the seedpod between the seeds may be slightly constricted or unconstricted. On the stalk of the raceme, the seedpods are erect or ascending, rather than widely spreading. The small seeds are about 1.0–1.5 mm. across, flattened, circular, shiny, and black. Fresh seeds have a small fleshy appendage that is white; this is an elaisome. The seedpods split open to release the seeds while they are still green. The root system consists of a slender taproot that branches abundantly. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.

Capnoides micranthum (Engelm. ex A. Gray) Britton:
United States (North America)

Corydalis micrantha var. micrantha :
United States (North America)

Corydalis micrantha subsp. micrantha :
United States (North America)

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Slender Corydalis is occasional in northern and western Illinois, but uncommon elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). Habits include open rocky woodlands, sandy savannas, ledges along thinly wooded bluffs, glades, gravelly areas along railroads (including the ballast), and mulched areas along buildings. Slender Corydalis prefers habitats with scant ground vegetation and a little shade.

Isotype for Corydalis monilifera var. ferruginifera Fedde
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): E. A. Mearns
Year Collected: 1891
Locality: Fort Snelling., Minnesota, United States, North America

Slender Corydalis is occasional in northern and western Illinois, but uncommon elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). Habits include open rocky woodlands, sandy savannas, ledges along thinly wooded bluffs, glades, gravelly areas along railroads (including the ballast), and mulched areas along buildings. Slender Corydalis prefers habitats with scant ground vegetation and a little shade.

The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued bees, particularly bumblebees. The seeds are distributed to some extent by ants because of their elaisomes. Mammalian herbivores avoid consumption of this plant because of its toxic foliage.

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Rounded Global Status Rank: T4 - Apparently Secure

Reasons: Rank provided by NCHP during data exchange Apr/1994.

Comments: Moderately threatened by land-use conversion and habitat fragmentation; trampling damage on rock outcrops also presents a low-level threat (Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project 2002).

The preference is partial sun and moist to mesic conditions during the period of active growth during the spring. This plant will grow in many kinds of soil, but it is usually found in soil that contains sand or rocky material; it also adapts to loamy soil containing abundant organic matter and leaf litter. The foliage gradually withers away during the summer.