Corydalis aurea
 
Golden Corydalis

Flower Top Dissected (3)

Hudson Bay Regional Park
11-June-2009

The flower of this species has two outer (upper and lower) petals and two inner (lateral) petals.  The stamens are grouped into two stamen bundles, one above the ovary and one below.  The upper petal, lower petal, and both stamen bundles have been removed for the purpose of this photo.  The inner petals are normally apically connate but have been spread apart in this photo. 

Aurea: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 

plant usually somewhat prostrate; NOT [plants fairly erect]

flowers yellow; NOT [flowers pink or purplish pink, with yellow tips]

capsules spreading or pendent; NOT [capsules ascending]

 

Corydalis: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora leading to this genus. 

plants NOT climbing

corolla deciduous; NOT [corolla persistent]

only one of the petals saccate; NOT [the two outer petals saccate]

fruit an elongate capsule; NOT [fruit globose]

fruit with more than one seed; NOT [fruit with a single seed]

seed crested

 

Fumariaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family. 

herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]

plants terrestrial or semiaquatic; NOT [plants aquatic, leaves submerged or floating]

plants NOT with colored milky juice

plants with more than one normal leaf

some or all leaves alternate; NOT [leaves opposite, whorled, or basal]

leaves without stipules, or having glands; NOT [leaves with stipules]

flowers with two floral rings, and with each petal distinct from the others]

calyx regular; NOT [calyx irregular, some sepals smaller than others]

sepals 2; NOT [sepals 5, two large, colored, and petal-like]

corolla irregular in shape; NOT [corolla regular in shape]

petals 4; NOT [petals 3]

stamens 10 or fewer; NOT [stamens usually more than 10]

ovary superior; NOT [ovary inferior]

carpels 1 or 2; NOT [carpels 3-5]