Scouler's corydalis is a large (1 m tall) glaucous perennial with 2 or 3 leaves arising midway up the stem and divided three times into small rounded ultimate segments. The showy pink-magenta flowers (each 2-3 cm long) are borne in a long raceme at the top of the plant. Scouler's corydalis is common along shaded streambanks at low elevations to middle elevations and blooms from April to June.