Greater celandine

Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) is a herbaceous perennial plant, with an underground rootstock, growing to 70 cm (28 in) tall. The leaves are 7–15 cm (3–6 in) long and 3–6 cm (1 1⁄4–2 1⁄2 in) broad, with a distinct narrow tapering at the base of the leaf blade, and a cordate or rounded, but not lobed, at the leaf base. The flowers are bright yellow, 4–6 cm (1 1⁄2–2 1⁄2 in) across, produced singly or in pairs from leaf axils near ground level; the petals are deeply notched. The fruit is a cluster of about 20 black seeds, each about 3 mm (1⁄8 in) diameter. The plant flowers from May to August. Greater celandine is native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia, from Ireland and Great Britain east to the Caucasus, and north to central Scandinavia and southern Siberia. It is often found as a weed in gardens, and on waysides and waste ground. It prefers moist, shady locations. It is considered an invasive species in some areas, such as New Zealand and the Great Lakes region of North America. The plant has a long history of use in traditional medicine. It was once used as a treatment for jaundice, and is still used in herbalism for this and other liver problems. The plant contains a range of biologically active compounds, but greater celandine is no longer recommended for medical use due to lack of evidence of efficacy and potential side effects.

Greater celandine is a herbaceous perennial plant, with an underground rootstock, growing to 70 cm (28 in) tall. The leaves are 7–15 cm (3–6 in) long and 3–6 cm (1 1⁄4–2 1⁄2 in) broad, with a distinct narrow tapering at the base of the leaf blade, and a cordate or rounded, but not lobed, at the leaf base. The flowers are bright yellow, 4–6 cm (1 1⁄2–2 1⁄2 in) across, produced singly or in pairs from leaf axils near ground level; the petals are deeply notched. The fruit is a cluster of about 20 black seeds, each about 3 mm (1⁄8 in) diameter. The plant flowers from May to August. Greater celandine is native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia, from Ireland and Great Britain east to the Caucasus, and north to central Scandinavia and southern Siberia. It is often found as a weed in gardens, and on waysides and waste ground. It prefers moist, shady locations. It is considered an invasive species in some areas, such as New Zealand and the Great Lakes region of North America.

The map shows known occurrence points of <strong>Chelidonium majus</strong> recorded in scientific biodiversity databases.

Source: <a href="https://www.gbif.org" target="_blank">GBIF.org</a> — Global Biodiversity Information Facility