Corydalis cava
| Corydalis cava | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Width: | 0.3' |
| Blooms: | Late Winter-Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Corydalis cava
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, the seed rapidly loses viability if it is allowed to become dry[1]. Surface sow and keep moist, it usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[2]. Germinates in spring according to another report[1]. Two months warm, then a cold stratification improves the germination of stored seed[3][2]. 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[4] and are very prone to damping off[1]. 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: Prefers a moist, well-drained rather light soil, thriving in semi-shade[5]. Grows well in a woodland garden or peat bed.
There is at least one named variety, selected for its ornamental value[6].
There is some possible confusion over the name of this species. 'Flora Europaea' says that it is a synonym of C. bulbosa[7] but the RHS 'Dictionary of Gardening' gives C. bulbosa as a synonym of this species[6]. In another report this species is said to be no more than a synonym for C. yanhusuo[8].
Closely related to C. solida[6], differing mainly in its solid tubers, rather than hollow as in C. solida[9].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[10].
Range: E. Europe. A rare garden escape in Britain[11].
Habitat: Shady forests, rarely amongst shrubs[12].
Medicinal: The tuber is antispasmodic, hallucinogenic and also slows the pulse[13]. It is harvested in the spring before the plant comes into flower and dried for later use[13]. 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[13].
One report says that the plant is cultivated for its medicinal uses in Sweden, but gives no more details[4].
The following reports are for C. yanhusuo which, according to one authority, is the correct name for this species[8]. It is treated as a separate species here[K].
The tuber is analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and sedative[14].
The root has traditionally been used to lower pain and strengthen the circulation[8]. It also has sedative properties and is used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments[8].
Various extracts from the plant have shown antitussive, cardiotonic, hypotensive and anticancer activity[8].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Early Spring-Early Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, there is a report that Corydalis species are potentially toxic in moderate doses[15].
Also Known As: C. bulbosa. (L.)DC.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Alpine Garden Society. Alpine Garden Society Bulletin Volume 56. Alpine Garden Society.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bird, Alfred. Focus on Plants Volume 5. Thompson and Morgan, 1991.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.