Corydalis curvisiliqua at a local cemetery.

Yellow fumewort (Corydalis flavula), also referred to as yellow corydalis and yellow harlequin, is a graceful perennial herb with clusters of small but brilliant yellow flowers that that really stand out from the early spring leaf litter. A pioneer species closely related to Dutchman’s breeches in the fumitory (Fumariaceae) subfamily, the plant clumps in disturbed areas along forest margins and wooded paths, often in close proximity to its kin. Yellow fumewort’s wispy, fern-like foliage is very similar to the deeply-dissected, compound leaf structure of Dutchman’s breeches, sometimes leading to mistaken identification. The plant’s distinctive lemon-yellow flowers feature two protruding “lips”: an upper petal with a wrinkled crest and toothed wings; and an inward-curving lower petal with toothed edges. Yellow fumewort has suffered serious decline of some parts of its range due to habitat loss and inadvertent “trampling” by hikers along trail edges. The photos above were taken along the Mon River Trail.

Pretty little weed by CAJC: in the PNW Common fumitory (Fumaria muralis) has an interesting little flower, pretty complex. Although it's a European migrant, it seems quite happy in moist shady spots in Washington state. https://flic.kr/p/2iRsVXe

Throwback Friday: studies on the floral anatomy and morphology of the Fumariaceae family at Independence Park c. 1997.

Pseudofumaria lutea 21/10/2013 Family: Papaveraceae (formerly Fumariaceae) Genus: Pseudofumaria Species: P. lutea Common Name: Yellow Corydalis Location: NT225749 and NT250754 Habitat: Commonly grows on waste ground or on walls. Determiner: Ewan Cole Authority: (Linnaeus.) Borkh.