Chelidonium majus aka Greater Celandine

Chelidonium majus, also known as the greater celandine, is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant belonging to the poppy family Papaveraceae. It is native to Europe and western Asia but has been widely introduced in North America. This plant should not be confused with the lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), which is a member of the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. The greater celandine is a sparsely hairy plant that can spread up to 90cm. It has broad-lobed pinnately-divided leaves and produces yellow flowers during the spring and summer seasons. This plant has the ability to self-seed and naturalize easily. With its preference for moist soil, Chelidonium majus thrives best in shady locations. However, it can tolerate full sun in cooler climates. It can be found in flower gardens as a cultivated herbaceous perennial or as a weed in natural landscapes. Its pretty yellow flowers add a touch of beauty wherever it grows.