365 Urban Species. #123: Celandine

[urbpan]

Urban species #122: Celandine Chelidonium majus

Celandine (or "greater celandine," to distinguish it from the unrelated "lesser celandine") is an early weed with glossy yellow flowers. The appearance of its flowers and fruit suggests a large mustard, but it is actually in the poppy family. It is believed to have been introduced into North America from Europe, for its use in herbal medicine. It has applications for skin problems and liver ailments. Perhaps not coincidentally, it has also been blamed for causing skin irritation, and liver poisoning. This plant is considered invasive in some states, but has an interesting limitation: it can only occur in areas that have ants, as it requires these insects to transport its seeds.

Comments

[brian-z.livejournal.com]

I always pull at it, just because the sap inside is this amazing bright yellow. That's fascinating about the ants, I had no idea...

[bezigebij.livejournal.com]

I call this Celandine Poppy and am constantly pulling it out of my garden because it is quite the invader here. If I let it, it would take over large areas. Guess I have lots of ants...

[hissilliness.livejournal.com]

There are areas that don't have ants??

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Don't eat it! I bet it would taste even worse than cilantro (more toxic, too).