The link between Corydalis cava and the Virgin Mary rests on two features of the plant, its rootstock and its cluster of flowers. The rootstock consists of a hollow tuber that increases in size each year. This is thought to resemble Mary’s womb and suggests her purity and ability to bring forth life in a sacred way. The flowers, on the other hand, are borne in clusters and resemble a group of hens. Hens, especially mother hens, are known to be especially protective of their eggs, and their nurturing behavior symbolizes the role of Mary as a spiritual mother offering protection and care to the faithful.
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Also known as stagger weed, this herbaceous perennial is member of the poppy family, Papaveraceae, that also includes bleeding heart, Dutchman’s breeches, and bloodroot. It is native to most of mainland Europe where it grows in moist, shady, woodland habitats. Plants grow 6-12″ tall from a hollow tuber that increases in size. The divided foliage appears in early spring and dies down to the rootstock by summer. Terminal clusters of flowers appear in the early spring. The flowers have long spurs and can be white, purple, red, or mauve. The seeds contain an elaiosome that attracts ants which take the seeds to their nest and feed the elaiosome to their larvae. Plants, especially the tuber, contains the alkaloid bulbocapnine, fatal to sheep and cattle, but is occasionally used in medicine.
Hollow root likes semi-shade and light, moist, well-drained soil in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9. Plants are susceptible to damage by several fungi and pests. Propagation is by seed.
The genus name, Corydalis, is from the Greek word κορυδαλλίς (korydallis), meaning crested lark and refers to the resemblance of the spurs of the flowers to the bird’s spurs. The specific epithet, cava, is from the Latin word cavus, meaning hollow, and refers to the tuberous rootstock.