by Bronwynne Bailey
Corydalis lutea (Pseudofumaria lutea) is sometimes called yellow fumitory, yellow corydalis, hollowort, or yellow larkspur. This plant is a short-lived perennial in the family Fumariaceae. The genus has about 300 species and is native to the southern Alps of Europe.
Colors and Varieties
- C. aurea (zones 3-8) This biennial, commonly known as scrambled eggs, produces small yellow flowers the second spring.
- C. cheilanthifolia (zones 4-9) The leaves of this species are dark green and fern-like but turn bronze in fall. The upright flower clusters are a butter-yellow color
- C. ochroleuca (zones 5-8) This variety has blue-green leaves, with creamy-white flowers with deep yellow throats.
Growth Habits
This plant grows into a rounded mound with delicate foliage that resembles bleeding hearts or maiden hair ferns. The leaves are light green to blue green with three lobes. The tubular stems are weak and hollow. Plant height is six to eighteen inches heigh. During high temperatures or droughts, the foliage will die back but resume growth in fall or spring.
Soil Preferences
C. lutea prefers ordinary to rich soil but tolerates gravelly soil, sandy loam, and clay.
Planting Depth & Spacing
C. lutea grows well in sun or light shade and will naturalize readily in a forest understory. The seeds will sprout in the cracks of rock gardens or walls. It creates a lovely border along the edges of a perennial garden or a filler under peonies of bleeding hearts whose foliage fades in our hot summers.
Watering
Supplemental watering is required during drought. Watering during dormance can cause root rot. The leaves turn yellow when overwatering occurs.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing C. lutea in fall or winter may kill this plant. It requires fall dormancy to prepare for the flush of leaves and flowers in spring.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary unless you need to remove dead or damaged leaves.
Pests
C. lutea has few pests. However, it is toxic to horses. It may cause mouth sores, gingivitis, colic, or sudden death if enough is ingested. Do not allow plant to invade pastures.
Propagation
This perennial produces clusters of yellow flowers (lutea is Latin for yellow). This prolific bloomer displays its flowers from late spring through frost. Spent flowers morph into slender capsules which burst and scatter seed. This plant propagates quickly via seed. Although it self-seeds readily, C. lutea does not germinate well indoors. The plant does not transplant or divide readily, but immature seedlings can be transplanted in spring to a more ideal location.
About the Author
