Flora-Fauna

Corydalis triternata Zucc.

(First published in Flora 15(2): 311 (1832); Nouvelle Flore du Liban et de la Syrie, vol. 1; 1966)

• Life-form & habit : Perennial tuberous geophyte; stems erect, slender, 15–40 cm tall, glabrous, arising from a small underground tuber.

• Leaves : Alternate; leaves characteristically triternate, each divided into three main segments further lobed into oblong to linear lobules; glabrous, bluish-green.

• Inflorescence & flowers : Terminal racemes, lax, few- to several-flowered; flowers zygomorphic, tubular, pink to purplish; upper petal extended into a short spur; bracts often divided; sepals minute or absent.

• Fruit : Capsule linear, slender, dehiscent; seeds numerous, small, often with an elaiosome.

• Phenology : Flowers from April to June; fruiting from May to July.

• Habitat & elevation : Rocky slopes, open woodland and montane grasslands, often on limestone; 800–2000 m.

• Lebanese distribution : Mount Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon; local.

• Native range : Lebanon-Syria, Türkiye.