Greater palatine

Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus) is a herbaceous perennial plant in the Papaveraceae family, native to Europe and Western Asia. It is also known as tetterwort, swallowwort, or nipplewort.

Description

Greater Celandine typically grows to a height of 30-120 cm. The plant has deeply divided, lobed leaves which are 30 cm long. The upper side of the leaf is dark green, but the lower side is lighter in color. The flowers are yellow and have four petals. The plant blooms from May to September. The fruit is a thin, elongated capsule containing numerous, tiny, black seeds.

Habitat

Greater Celandine is commonly found in hedgerows, woodland margins, waste ground, and along roadsides. It prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Uses

Greater Celandine has been used in herbal medicine for centuries. It has been used to treat a variety of conditions including warts, rashes, and gastrointestinal disorders. However, its use is controversial due to potential toxic effects, especially when consumed in large amounts.

Toxicity

All parts of the Greater Celandine plant are toxic. The plant contains several alkaloids, including chelidonine, which can cause serious side effects such as liver damage, if ingested in large amounts. Therefore, it should be used with caution and under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

Cultivation

Greater Celandine is not typically grown as a garden plant due to its invasive nature and toxicity. However, it can be grown from seed or by division of the roots in the spring or autumn.

Conservation

Greater Celandine is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, like all wild plants, it should be conserved and its habitat protected.

See also

• List of poisonous plants
• Herbalism
• Papaveraceae

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