Flower profile
Golden corydalis
Corydalis aurea
Golden corydalis is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In New Mexico it's most often seen in bloom in February–June.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: New Mexico
Quick look
Corydalis aurea, also known as scrambled eggs, golden smoke, or golden corydalis, is a flowering plant in the poppy family (Papaveraceae). The plant has a broad range stretching across North America and is able to thrive within a variety of ecosystems. The plant possesses numerous distinct characteristics. Its fruit most closely resembles that of a pea pod and is typically around 3/4 of an inch in length.
- It belongs to the Papaveraceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a annual, biennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 33 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to New Mexico. NatureServe
- In New Mexico, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in February–June. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 1,085 research-grade sightings of it in New Mexico, ranking #44 among the 109 flowers on our New Mexico list. iNaturalist
Golden corydalis gift ideas
Handmade golden corydalis gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
-
Placeholder
Golden corydalis art print
-
Placeholder
Golden corydalis greeting card
-
Placeholder
Golden corydalis mug
-
Placeholder
Golden corydalis earrings
-
Placeholder
Golden corydalis embroidery pattern
-
Placeholder
Golden corydalis sticker
When does it bloom?
In New Mexico, most flowering sightings come in February–June.
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- New Mexico
- Not listed Not on New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Mexico. 19.21.2.9 NMAC
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: IA (S2), IL (S1), NH (SH), NY (S2), PA (S1), VT (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records golden corydalis in 33 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
New Mexico counties with USDA records: Bernalillo, Chaves, Colfax, Dona Ana, Lea, Los Alamos, Luna, McKinley, Mora, Otero, Rio Arriba, San Juan, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Sierra, Socorro, Taos, Union.
More New Mexico flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile COAU2.
- iNaturalist, Corydalis aurea: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Corydalis aurea (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- New Mexico: New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC).
- New Mexico: New Mexico Noxious Weed List (NM Department of Agriculture, updated June 2020).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Corydalis aurea (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
- Photo: Alex Abair via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.