Corydalis cava is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae, native to moist, shady, woodland habitats throughout most of mainland Europe, although commonest in central and southeast Europe.

Its range extends from Spain in the west to Ukraine, Belarus and the Caucasus in the east and as far north as Sweden.

It is absent from (though may sometimes be found in a naturalised state in) Iceland, the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Russia and Greece.

[2] All parts of the plant are alkaloidal but the highest concentrations are present in the hollow root tuber.

Corydalis cava and some other tuberous species contain the alkaloid bulbocapnine, which is occasionally used in medicine but for which scientific evidence is lacking in regard to correct dosage and side effects.