Pronounced (approximate): kel-ih-DOH-nee-um MAY-jus
A branching poppy relative with small yellow flowers and deeply divided leaves.
Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus): field photograph. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Papaveraceae
Life cycle Biennial or perennial
Blooms Late spring–summer
Height 1 to 3 feet
Habitat Woodland edges, roadsides, gardens and disturbed ground
Common names: Greater Celandine · Celandine
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Woodland edges, roadsides, gardens and disturbed ground. Flowering season: Late spring–summer.
Lesser Celandine belongs to the buttercup family and has more petals and simple heart-shaped leaves. Celandine Poppy has larger flowers and a different seed capsule.
Flowers have four rounded yellow petals and many stamens.
Leaves are divided into broad, scalloped lobes or leaflets.
Slender upright seedpods follow the flowers. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
8 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Native to Europe and adjacent parts of Asia, northern Africa and Macaronesia; introduced in North America.
Reported U.S. distribution
CO, CT, DE, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
Includes native and introduced state records where listed; a state record does not imply occurrence in every county.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Greater Celandine in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.