Chelidonium majus Seeds | Greater Celandine
LATIN NAME: Chelidonium majus
COMMON NAME: Greater Celandine
Plant Profile
Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus) is a herbaceous perennial of the poppy family (Papaveraceae), native to Europe and western Asia and naturalised in North America. It grows 30-90 cm tall, with blue-green, lobed leaves, small four-petalled yellow flowers and slender seed pods through summer. Broken stems exude a bright orange latex, long used in folk medicine on warts; the plant is toxic if taken internally.
Science & Biotechnology
Within the Chelidonium group, Chelidonium majus is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. This documented hepatotoxicity risk represents a real and important safety consideration distinct from the plant’s more benign traditional topical use. Because it has been grown for so long, its garden habits are thoroughly documented.
Uses & Benefits
Greater Celandine works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. As a garden plant, its cheerful yellow flowers and attractive lobed foliage also have modest ornamental value in informal or wildlife-friendly plantings. Given the right start, it carries on with minimal intervention.
Greater celandine’s orange latex is the traditional wart remedy of Europe, and its isoquinoline alkaloids are genuinely bioactive; the latex is also irritant and hepatotoxic in excess, so this is a plant to respect, not to self-administer.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Greater Celandine under ordinary good conditions. Sow seed onto surface of a loose, well-drained mix without covering it deeply, keeping it consistently moist. Partial shade suits this adaptable species well, and it typically self-seeds readily once established, often naturalising into informal drifts in shaded garden margins. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in partial shade until the seedlings are well up. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Given the right start, Greater Celandine is a long-term garden companion. After establishment, care settles into an easy routine.
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