Threadleaf Corydalis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales, it is specifically categorized under the family Papaveraceae. Within this family, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Corydalis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern primarily concentrated within the high-altitude regions of Asia. In China, its presence is documented within the mountainous terrain of Tibet. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found thriving across the East Himalaya range. The species also occupies significant portions of the landscape in Nepal. Finally, its geographical reach extends to the rugged elevations of the West Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Corydalis meiifolia is defined by its highly specialized habitat within high-altitude montane environments. This species is strictly adapted to extreme alpine conditions, occupying a narrow vertical niche characterized by significant physiological demands. Its distribution is restricted to a precise elevational range, with a minimum occurrence at 4600 m AMSL and a maximum limit reaching up to 5000 m AMSL. The species maintains a mean elevation of 4800 m AMSL, suggesting it thrives in the thin atmosphere and intense ultraviolet exposure typical of the upper montane or subnival zones. Such a specific altitudinal preference indicates that its ecological success is closely tied to the unique climatic patterns, soil compositions, and temperature regimes found within this specific high-mountain belt.

Elevational range max:

5000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

4800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

4600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Corydalis meifolia is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, it typically survives through dormant periods, often utilizing underground structures such as rhizomes or tubers to store nutrients, which facilitates regrowth in subsequent years. This lifecycle strategy enables the plant to establish a more robust presence in its habitat compared to annuals, as it can invest energy into long-term survival and repeated reproductive cycles. Depending on environmental stability and resource availability, its development may exhibit variability, but its fundamental biological trajectory is defined by this multi-year existence.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Corydalis meiifolia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing tendencies. The stature of the species is relatively low, with plant heights typically ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.3 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.225 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.225 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Corydalis meiifolia is characterized by its specific inflorescence and fruit morphology. The plant produces an inflorescence that typically ranges in length from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.05 m. Following pollination, the development of the fruit is marked by distinct dimensions; the fruit length varies from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1 cm, with an average length of approximately 0.85 cm. Similarly, the fruit width exhibits a range between 0.3 cm and 0.4 cm, maintaining a mean width of 0.35 cm.

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.85 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit width max:

0.4 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit width min:

0.3 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.05 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.03 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Corydalis meifolia has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-sinactine, Apocavidine, Cheilanthifoline, Corlumine, Dihydrosanguinarine.

(+)-sinactine

1. Journal of natural products

Apocavidine

1. Journal of natural products

Cheilanthifoline

1. Journal of natural products

Corlumine

1. Journal of natural products

Dihydrosanguinarine

1. Journal of natural products

Stylopine

1. Journal of natural products

dehydrocavidine

1. Journal of natural products

protopine

1. Journal of natural products

yenhusomidine

1. Journal of natural products