Corydalis edulis

Corydalis edulis is in the poppy family, Papaveraceae. Kew lists China as its native range. It also places the plant in a temperate climate. The RHS says it is not native to Britain or Ireland. Sources differ on how long it lives. Kew calls it an annual: it lives for one year. Plants For A Future calls it a perennial, which lives for years. Its lifespan in gardens thus remains unclear. The RHS also lists the name as unresolved.

The sources give no height or spread for this species. They give no clear account of its stems or leaves. They lack details on flower colour, bloom time and fruit. Plants For A Future says flowers have male and female organs. It names bees as the insects that pollinate them. The RHS describes the genus as a whole. That account does not show this species' form or flower shape.

Plants For A Future lists light shade and moist soil. Its species notes list sand and loam that drain well. They also list mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline soil. The page suggests woodland gardens and shaded edges as sites. But its longer growing notes draw on the genus's needs. These tips do not prove how this species grows in trials. The source does not confirm that it withstands Britain's cold. The evidence gives no firm hardiness zone.

The seed notes favour sowing fresh seed before it dries. They say seeds sprout within one to three months at 15°C. A second report says seeds sprout in spring. Stored seed may respond to warmth, then a cold spell. The page says to sow seed on the surface. Keep it moist and sow thinly. This helps avoid disturbing roots while plants are young. The notes say seedlings have one leaf in their first year. They warn that young plants can suffer damping off.

Evidence for food use is weak. Plants For A Future rates edibility one out of five. It draws on one report with no clear food preparation details. It suggests the root, but does not confirm the part. It lists no known medicinal or other uses. The evidence does not show whether this species is toxic or harmless. A report of possible food use alone does not prove safety.