Corydalis is a perennial, monoecious plant.⁴ Leaves are varied, ranging from long petiolate shape at the bottom to biternate with entire margins to deeply trifid leaflets.⁸ Stem is upright with scale leaves.⁸ Flowers are in a raceme formation, with 5 to 15 flowers with lanceolate bracts.⁸ Fruit is a linear capsule with 1 row of seeds.⁸ Root is a yellow rounded tuber.⁸

Corydalis is native to Europe and eastern Asia, specifically east and northeastern China.^2,9 Different species of this herb have been used in traditional Chinese and traditional European herbalism, as well as modern herbalism.²

The North American native species of this genus can be found in the Eastern region of the Turkey.⁷ It was commonly used in Eclectic herbalism in the early 1900s, although no record of the native species was found in current Traditional Western Herbalism.⁷ However, the Navajo, Ojibwa, Keres and Iroquois Native American tribes use the native species for fertilizer, fodder, veterinary use and in herbalism.⁵

The plant prefers well-drained and moist sandy-to-loamy soil with any pH and no shade to part-shade.⁴ It can be found on shaded edges or forest gardens with dappled shade.⁴

When cultivating, sow Corydalis seed on the soil surface when ripe. Keep it moist, as it loses viability when dried out.⁴ Germination should occur in 1 to 3 months with a single leaf produced in the first year of growth.⁴

After the above-ground parts have died back, the root is harvested in late spring or early summer, generally May through July.^4,9

The tuber has been used for over 1,000 years in traditional Chinese herbalism and is considered an essential Chinese herb.^4,6 In traditional Chinese herbalism, the herb’s properties are considered  to be acrid, bitter and warm.⁹ Traditional extractions involve processing Corydalis with rice vinegar.⁹