Greater Celandine is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in hedgerows, roadsides and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 60cm.
Greater Celandine is unrelated to Lesser Celandine, being in the Poppy family rather than the Buttercup plant family. The plants also look very different. The only connection is the name 'Celandine', which is derived from the Old English for 'Swallow' and means that the plant flowering is associated with the arrival of the Swallow in the UK, around April to May. Greater Celandine is a larger and more erect plant than Lesser Celandine, hence the name 'Greater'.
Botanic classification and naming: Greater Celandine is a member of the Poppy (Papaveraceae) family. The genus name
'Chelidonium' identifies the plant as a Celandine and its species name 'majus' means 'larger-sized plant'.
Concerns: Greater Celandine is a toxic plant. Its sap contains both caustic and highly poisonous substances.
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