Seasonal Wild Flowers

Greater Celandine

Chelidonium majus

Papaveraceae

April to October

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Greater Celandine

It is an archaeophyte, which has been naturalised since

Roman times, when it was grown as a medicinal herb.

It is found on disturbed and waste ground, at the bottom of

hedges and walls, and alongside roads and paths.

Greater Celandine is a perennial herb growing up to 85cm.

The flowers are up to 2.5cm across and have 4 yellow

petals, resembling a crucifer.

This effect is reinforced by the elongated capsules that look

like crucifer pods.

The leaves are pale green, pinnate and large lobed, and

like those of other poppies.

Greater celandine is no relation of the much more common

Lesser Celandine, which is a member of the Ranunculaceae

and starts to flower earlier in the year.

Greater Celandine - habit

Flower - stamens and stigma/style

Flower, hairy bud

Crucifer-like pods/capsules

Poppy-like leaves