Chelidonium majus
greater celandine
Overview
Chelidonium majus is a short-lived perennial or biennial in the poppy family, growing 12-32 inches (30-80 cm) tall on slender, brittle, branched stems that exude a bright yellow-orange latex when broken. The alternate leaves are 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long, deeply pinnately lobed with rounded, scalloped segments, thin-textured and blue-green above and paler beneath. From late spring through summer it bears loose clusters of four-petaled yellow flowers 0.6-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) across, each followed by a narrow, upright seed capsule 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long that splits to release black seeds. Each seed carries a small oily appendage that draws ants, which carry the seeds and spread the plant. It grows in shaded and partly shaded ground along walls, hedges, fence rows, and disturbed woodland edges, often on rich, moist soils. The plant self-sows readily and can form dense local stands. In North America it has naturalized across the East and is treated as invasive in some areas. The orange latex stains skin and is acrid, and all parts contain alkaloids that are toxic if eaten and can irritate skin and eyes on contact.
Native Range
Chelidonium majus is native to Europe and western Asia. It has naturalized across eastern North America and other temperate regions, where it grows along walls, hedgerows, and shaded disturbed ground.Suggested Uses
Chelidonium majus is grown occasionally in shaded and woodland gardens for its yellow flowers and long bloom, though its self-seeding and toxic latex limit wider use. It fills shaded ground along walls and hedges where little else grows. In most settings it appears as a self-sown volunteer rather than a planted species.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'8"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from late spring through summer, roughly May to August, with scattered flowers into early fall. The small yellow flowers open a few at a time in loose clusters and are followed quickly by narrow seed capsules. Flowering and fruiting continue together over a long season.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Chelidonium majus grows in partial to full shade in moist, fertile soils and tolerates dry shade once established. It needs no special care and self-sows readily, so new plants appear around established ones each year. The brittle stems and shallow roots are pulled easily, and removing plants before the capsules ripen reduces seeding. Ant-dispersed seed carries the plant short distances from the parent. The orange latex stains skin and clothing and is acrid to the touch. Plants are short-lived but maintain a stand through continual self-seeding.Pruning
Removing seed capsules before they ripen and split limits self-seeding. Pulling whole plants is straightforward because of the shallow roots and brittle stems. Repeated removal of seedlings over a season reduces a stand, since the plant relies on seed rather than spreading roots.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons