Practical
Plants

Corydalis ambigua

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.15 m
Spread
0.08 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, there is a report that Corydalis species are potentially toxic in moderate doses[11].

Edible uses

Root - cooked[13][15][2][7].

Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Alterative, antiperiodic, astringent, deobstruent, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative, tonic[8]. The root is analgesic, antispasmodic and sedative[10]. The tuber has a history of over a thousand years use in mitigating pain[10]. This species was ranked 10th in a test of 250 potential antifertility drugs[10].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Contraceptive
Product or use
Deobstruent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat
Woods and meadows from the lowland to the mountains of N. Japan[14].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, the seed rapidly loses viability if it is allowed to become dry[3]. Surface sow and keep moist, it usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[5]. Germinates in spring according to another report[3]. Two months warm, then a cold stratification improves the germination of stored seed[4][5]. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be allowed to grow undisturbed in the pot for their first year. Apply liquid feed at intervals during their growing season to ensure they are well fed. The seedlings only produce one leaf in their first year of growth[6] and are very prone to damping off[3]. Divide the seedlings into individual pots once they have become dormant and grow them on in a partially shaded area of a greenhouse for at least another year. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant. Division in spring after flowering. Once the plants are dying down, dig up the clump and divide the tubers, planting them out straight into their permanent positions if required.

Cultivation

Prefers a moist, well-drained rather light soil, thriving in semi-shade[1]. Grows well in a woodland garden or peat bed[3]. This species is very closely related to and probably part of C. fumariifolia[6]. It is probably not really worthy of specific status and is best treated as a cultivar, C. 'Ambigua'[9]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[12].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. ? Alpine Garden Society Bulletin. Volume 56. Alpine Garden Society

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  5. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  8. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

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  12. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  13. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  14. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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  15. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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