Golden Smoke (Corydalis aurea)


Golden Smoke (Corydalis aurea)
Location:  Grand County, Colorado, USA

The brightly colored wildflower is widely distributed across the continental United States.  The plant is a member of the Fumariaceae (Fumitory) family.  I photographed this example in a meadow in Grand County, Colorado.

According to the botanical reference website eFloras.org:
The Navaho used Corydalis aurea medicinally for a variety of ailments, including rheumatism, diarrhea, sores on the hands, stomachaches, menstrual problems, and sore throats, and as a general disinfectant (D. E. Moerman 1986, no subspecies cited).

1 comment:

Becky said...

Beautiful flowers! I don't think we have them here in the East. It just amazes me all the remedys the Indians had.Some I might be afraid to try.LOL
B.