Capnoides is a monospecific genus of herbaceous plants in the poppy family (Papaveraceae), order Ranunculales. Its sole species, Capnoides sempervirens, is commonly known as harlequin corydalis, rock harlequin, pale corydalis, or pink corydalis. It is an annual or biennial plant reaching 20–80 cm in height, with glaucous (bluish-waxy) stems and leaves. The leaves are 1–3 cm long, twice pinnately divided and usually segmented into three (occasionally four) lobes. Its distinctive flowers are tubular and pendulous, pink with a yellow tip, 1–1.7 cm long, arranged in dangling clusters. The seeds are black, shiny, and roughly 1 mm wide, packed tightly in long, thin cylindrical pods. Flowering occurs from May through September. The genus was formerly classified within Corydalis but is now recognized as a distinct monotypic genus.
Distribution
Capnoides sempervirens is native to northern North America, ranging from Newfoundland west to Alaska and south into the eastern United States. It inhabits rocky woodlands and disturbed or burned sites across this boreal and temperate range.
Ecology
Capnoides is a fire-adapted pioneer. It frequently colonizes recently burned or otherwise disturbed ground, flowering from May through September. Its preferred habitat includes rocky woodland openings and similarly exposed, well-drained sites within its northern North American range.
Taxonomy Notes
Capnoides was formerly included within the large and variable genus Corydalis. It is now recognized as a distinct monotypic genus within Papaveraceae. The name Capnoides elegans Kuntze is a synonym of Corydalis elegans and is not considered part of Capnoides as currently circumscribed. GBIF accepts the genus with one descendant species.
