Corydalis cava

This article will address Corydalis cava, a topic that has gained great relevance in recent times. Corydalis cava has captured the attention of experts and the general public due to its impact and relevance in different aspects of society. Throughout history, Corydalis cava has been the subject of study and debate, which has generated various interpretations and approaches to this topic. In this sense, it is important to analyze Corydalis cava from multiple perspectives in order to understand its scope and impact in various areas. That is why this article is presented, with the aim of providing a comprehensive and updated view on Corydalis cava, providing relevant information for the reader interested in delving deeper into this fascinating topic.

Corydalis cava
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Papaveraceae
Genus: Corydalis
Species:
C. cava
Binomial name
Corydalis cava

Corydalis cava is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae, native to moist, shady, woodland habitats throughout most of mainland Europe, although commonest in central and southeast Europe. Its range extends from Spain in the west to Ukraine, Belarus and the Caucasus in the east and as far north as Sweden. It is absent from (though may sometimes be found in a naturalised state in) Iceland, the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Russia and Greece.[1]

Description

Corydalis cava grows 15 cm (6 in) to 30 cm (12 in) tall. It is a spring ephemeral—foliage that grows in the spring dies down to its tuberous rootstock in summer. It has long-spurred flowers which appear in spring. The flowers may be mauve, purple, red, or white.

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 bulbocapnine
Structure of the isoquinoline alkaloid canadine

Many of the species in Corydalis contain alkaloids such as canadine and corydaline, which blocks calcium. The majority of these belong to the isoquinoline alkaloid group.[2] All parts of the plant are alkaloidal but the highest concentrations are present in the hollow root tuber.

Corydalis cava and some other tuberous species contain the alkaloid bulbocapnine, which is occasionally used in medicine but for which scientific evidence is lacking in regard to correct dosage and side effects.[3]

  • Young shoot pushing up through leaf litter. Přírodní park, Podkomorské forest, South Moravia, Czech Republic.
    Young shoot pushing up through leaf litter. Přírodní park, Podkomorské forest, South Moravia, Czech Republic.
  • Developing inflorescence. Lower Lußhart near Neulußheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
    Developing inflorescence. Lower Lußhart near Neulußheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
  • Mature specimen from a wood in Vicenza (Veneto, Italy) uprooted at flowering time to show large, hollow tuber.
    Mature specimen from a wood in Vicenza (Veneto, Italy) uprooted at flowering time to show large, hollow tuber.
  • Dutch coloured plate showing anatomical detail (under original Linnaean name Fumaria bulbosa i.e. "bulbous fumitory").
    Dutch coloured plate showing anatomical detail (under original Linnaean name Fumaria bulbosa i.e. "bulbous fumitory").
  • Hollow tuber bisected to show central void. Forest floor, Rak Škocjan Landscape park, Slovenia.
    Hollow tuber bisected to show central void. Forest floor, Rak Škocjan Landscape park, Slovenia.
  • Ants gathered in the void in an exposed tuber, seemingly as attracted by odour of tuber as by that of seed elaiosome.
    Ants gathered in the void in an exposed tuber, seemingly as attracted by odour of tuber as by that of seed elaiosome.
  • Specimen of white-flowered form blooming among ivy leaves.
    Specimen of white-flowered form blooming among ivy leaves.
  • Dense carpet of flowering plants (both pink and white-flowered forms) on forest floor.
    Dense carpet of flowering plants (both pink and white-flowered forms) on forest floor.
  • Flowering plants thriving in damp conditions on a stream bank.
    Flowering plants thriving in damp conditions on a stream bank.
  • Comparison of inflorescences of pink-flowered and white-flowered forms. Rosenfeld, Baden-Württemberg, southern Germany.
    Comparison of inflorescences of pink-flowered and white-flowered forms. Rosenfeld, Baden-Württemberg, southern Germany.
  • Comparison of inflorescences of Corydalis cava (right, with simple bracts) and the closely related C. solida (left, with digitate bracts).
    Comparison of inflorescences of Corydalis cava (right, with simple bracts) and the closely related C. solida (left, with digitate bracts).
  • Inflorescence of pink-flowered form, back-lit by bright sunlight, silhouetting structures within flower spurs.
    Inflorescence of pink-flowered form, back-lit by bright sunlight, silhouetting structures within flower spurs.
  • Inflorescence of white-flowered form, back-lit by bright sunlight.
    Inflorescence of white-flowered form, back-lit by bright sunlight.
  • Front-lit inflorescence of white-flowered form.
    Front-lit inflorescence of white-flowered form.
  • Front view of individual flower of white-flowered form.
    Front view of individual flower of white-flowered form.
  • Front view of individual flowers of wild plant, Alte aare nr. Aarberg, Switzerland.
    Front view of individual flowers of wild plant, Alte aare nr. Aarberg, Switzerland.
  • Back-lit inflorescence, showing clearly striated venation of bracts.
    Back-lit inflorescence, showing clearly striated venation of bracts.
  • Close-up of flowers of pale pink form in profile.
    Close-up of flowers of pale pink form in profile.
  • Side view of flower showing hole chewed in nectary by nectar-stealing insect. Selzerbrunnen, Frankfurt, Germany.
    Side view of flower showing hole chewed in nectary by nectar-stealing insect. Selzerbrunnen, Frankfurt, Germany.
  • Central structure of interior of single flower. Rosenfeld, Baden-Württemberg southern Germany.
    Central structure of interior of single flower. Rosenfeld, Baden-Württemberg southern Germany.
  • Leaves of specimen growing at Pölchow nr. Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
    Leaves of specimen growing at Pölchow nr. Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
  • Infructescence.
    Infructescence.
  • Close-up of single pendent fruit with its accompanying bract.
    Close-up of single pendent fruit with its accompanying bract.
  • Single seed, greatly magnified, showing its elaiosome (= oily, ant-attracting appendage).
    Single seed, greatly magnified, showing its elaiosome (= oily, ant-attracting appendage).
  • Photomicrograph of pollen grains.
    Photomicrograph of pollen grains.

References

  1. ^ Kew Plants of the World Online https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:672129-1 Retrieved at 9.53 on 14/9/20.
  2. ^ Whitney, Stephen (1985). Western Forests (The Audubon Society Nature Guides). New York: Knopf. p. 556. ISBN 0-394-73127-1.
  3. ^ "CORYDALIS". WebMD. Retrieved 21 October 2014.