Practical
Plants

Corydalis cava

a perennial member of the Corydalis genus in the family Papaveraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.15 m
Spread
0.1 m
Fertility
Bees
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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, there is a report that Corydalis species are potentially toxic in moderate doses[10].

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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The tuber is antispasmodic, hallucinogenic and also slows the pulse[15]. It is harvested in the spring before the plant comes into flower and dried for later use[15]. The plant should only be used under the guidance of a trained herbalist, it is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders[15]. One report says that the plant is cultivated for its medicinal uses in Sweden, but gives no more details[6]. The following reports are for C. yanhusuo which, according to one authority, is the correct name for this species[9]. It is treated as a separate species here[K]. The tuber is analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and sedative[7]. The root has traditionally been used to lower pain and strengthen the circulation[9]. It also has sedative properties and is used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments[9]. Various extracts from the plant have shown antitussive, cardiotonic, hypotensive and anticancer activity[9].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Hallucinogenic
Product or use
Hypotensive
Product or use
Sedative

Environment

Range
E. Europe. A rare garden escape in Britain[5].
Habitat
Shady forests, rarely amongst shrubs[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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, the seed rapidly loses viability if it is allowed to become dry[2]. Surface sow and keep moist, it usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[4]. Germinates in spring according to another report[2]. Two months warm, then a cold stratification improves the germination of stored seed[3][4]. 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[2]. 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 after flowering.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist, well-drained rather light soil, thriving in semi-shade[1]. Grows well in a woodland garden or peat bed. There is at least one named variety, selected for its ornamental value[8]. There is some possible confusion over the name of this species. 'Flora Europaea' says that it is a synonym of C. bulbosa[13] but the RHS 'Dictionary of Gardening' gives C. bulbosa as a synonym of this species[8]. In another report this species is said to be no more than a synonym for C. yanhusuo[9]. Closely related to C. solida[8], differing mainly in its solid tubers, rather than hollow as in C. solida[12]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[11].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. 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↩4↩5

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  12. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  13. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  14. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

  15. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page