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Field Guide


Wasatch Fitweed

Wasatch Fitweed (Corydalis caseana ssp. brachycarpa)
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Photo by Bill Gray; Bill Gray; Blake Wellard

Corydalis caseana ssp. brachycarpa

NatureServe conservation status

Global (G-rank): G5T2
State (S-rank): S2

Utah Wildlife Action Plan status

  • SGCN

External links


General information

Corydalis caseana ssp. brachycarpa is a Utah endemic species found in Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber counties. Corydalis caseana ssp. brachycarpa usually grows on gravel bars along streams and can become up to 40 inches tall. It has large hollow stems, many pinnately compound leaves, and produces racemes of over 50 white to pinkish flowers with purple-tipped petals. A unique trait of this plant is the capsule reflexed seed pods, which disperse its numerous seeds when touched.

Description

Corydalis caseana ssp. brachycarpa is a perennial forb, 1-100 cm tall, from fibrous taproots. The leaves are glaucous, 2-3 pinnately compound and have ultimate segments that are elliptic to lanceolate to oblong. The inflorescence is paniculate

Phenology

Flowers in midsummer

Species range

Found in Salt Lake, Utah, Wasatch and Weber Counties, Utah. 

Map

Range of Wasatch Fitweed (Corydalis caseana ssp. brachycarpa)

Threats or limiting factors

Threats include potential road construction impacts and the effects of climate change.

Taxonomy

No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies