Chelidonium majus (Europe)

Chelidonium majus L., Sp. Pl. 505 1753. (syn: Chelidonium dahuricum hort. ex DC.; Chelidonium grandiflorum DC. ; Chelidonium haematodes Moench ; Chelidonium laciniatum Miller ; Chelidonium luteum Gilib.; Chelidonium majus var. laciniatum (P. Mill.) Syme ; Chelidonium murale Ren.; Chelidonium quercifolium Thuill.; Chelidonium ruderale Salisb.; Chelidonium umbelliferum Stokes);

Chelidonium majus, commonly known as greater celandine or tetterwort,^[2](although tetterwort also refers to Sanguinaria canadensis), nipplewort,^[3] or swallowwort,^[3] is a herbaceous perennial plant, the only species in the genus Chelidonium. It is native to Europe and western Asia and introduced widely in North America.

While the greater celandine belongs to the poppy family, the lesser celandine belongs to the buttercup family.

Greater celandine is a perennial herb with an erect habit, and reaches 30 to 120 cm high. The leaves are pinnate with lobed and wavy-edged margins, up to 30 cm long. When injured, the plant exudes a yellow to orange latex.

The flowers consist of four yellow petals, each about 1 cm long, with two sepals. A double-flowered variety occurs naturally. The flowers appear from late spring to summer in umbelliform cymes of about 4 flowers.

The seeds are small and black, borne in a long, cylindrical capsule. Each has an elaiosome, which attracts ants to disperse the seeds (myrmecochory).

It is considered an aggressive invasive plant in natural areas.^[6] Control is obtained mainly via pulling or spraying the plant before seed dispersal.

The whole plant is toxic in moderate doses as it contains a range of isoquinoline alkaloids but there are numerous therapeutic uses when used at the correct dosage.^[7]

The aerial parts and roots of greater celandine are used in herbalism. The above-ground parts are gathered during the flowering season and dried at high temperatures. The root is harvested in autumn between August and October and dried. The fresh rhizome is also used. Celandine has a hot and bitter taste. Preparations are made from alcoholic and hot aqueous extractions (tea). The related plant bloodroot has similar chemical composition and uses as greater celandine.

(from Wikipedia on 10.11.16)