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     I have considerable difficulty distinguishing Corydalis aurea from Corydalis curvisiliqua.  One reason may be that the two are really the same plant or perhaps they are two subspecies.  The latter is what the Flora of North America  indicates and Stanley Welsh's Utah Flora and John Kartesz's Synthesis of the North American Flora agree.  However, William Weber's 2001 edition of Colorado Flora: Western Slope describes both species in Colorado. 

 

Corydalis aurea
Corydalis aurea (Golden Corydalis)
Fumariaceae (Fumitory Family)

Montane, subalpine. Woodlands. Spring.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, May 1, 2006.

Corydalis aurea is often thought to be a Fabaceae (a Pea), but it is not. It is in the Fumitory Family (Fumariaceae) and is a relative of the Eastern U.S. Dutchman’s Breeches. Corydalis is not common in our area, but its numerous golden-yellow, spurred, tubular flowers attract attention and make it a treat when found.  Look for it in disturbed areas of the mountains.

"Corydalis" is of ancient Greek origin and apparently refers to the spur on the claw of a Lark ("Larkspur").  "Aurea" is Latin for "golden".

                    Corydalis aurea

     Corydalis aurea
Corydalis aurea (Golden Corydalis)
Fumariaceae (Fumitory Family)

Montane, subalpine. Woodlands. Spring.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, May 1, 2006, Bear Creek Trail, May 12, 2009, and near Haviland Lake, June 17, 2009.

Tightly packed clusters of flowers elongate to loose racemes.  Leaves are small and finely dissected. Notice that the spur at the back of the flower is considerably less than half the length of the flower.  This is especially visible at the left side of the second photograph.  Corydalis curvisiliqua, shown below, has a spur about half the length of the flower.  Seed pods of both species can be curved upward. 
Corydalis curvisiliqua
Corydalis curvisiliqua (Corydalis)
Fumariaceae (Fumitory Family)

Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
BLM lands near the San Juan River, Utah, April 6, 2005.

This Corydalis is supposedly distinguished form the above species in several ways: it is found at lower elevations than Corydalis aurea, and its flowers are more robust, have longer spurs, and stand higher above the leaves.  In sandy areas, even those disturbed by cattle, Corydalis curvisiliqua can be abundant, especially in the sheltered protection of such shrubs as Sagebrush. From a distance then, the shrubs seem to be flowering bright yellow.

The Latin "curvi" "siliqua" refers to the strongly upward-curved seed pod.
Corydalis curvisiliqua (Corydalis)
Fumariaceae (Fumitory Family)

Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah, April 12, 2005.

The strongly curved seed pod can be seen at the bottom center.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Corydalis aurea

Range map for Corydalis curvisiliqua