Celandine

Chelidonium majus (kel-ih-DOH-nee-um MAY-jus)

Family: Papaveraceae Non-native Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

Greater celandine is a herbaceous flowering short-lived perennial or biennial in the poppy family (Papaveraceae) native to Europe and Western Asia. It has naturalized in North America and can be found on rocky slopes, in woodlands, waste areas and roadsides. The genus name comes from the Greek word chelidon meaning a swallow as it flowered when the swallows arrived. Specific epithet means bigger or larger. Greater celandine will grow up to 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide and prefers partial shade to full shade, but tolerates full sun in cool summer areas. It prefers moist but not wet, well-drained soils and tolerates poor soils. It readily reseeds and can spread rapidly. It is considered a noxious weed in WI, Ml and NH. From May to August, one-inch-wide yellow flowers with four petals appear in clusters. Two-inch-long capsules follow that split open to release many seeds. The large compound leaves are lobed, and the stems, when broken, exude an irritating orange-yellow sap. Wear gloves when dealing with this plant This plant is not recommended for garden use as it spreads very fast and has the potential to escape gardens and become invasive. Best control is hand-pulling before it flowers. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 61 attributes.