familyPapaveraceae
genusChelidonium
Show Lower Taxa
Chelidonium
Sp. Pl. 1: 505. 175.
Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 224. 1754.
Common names: Celandine greater celandine rock-poppy swallowwort chélidoine
Etymology: Greek cheilidon, swallow (bird), perhaps from lore reported by Aristotle and others that mother swallows bathe eyes of their young with the sap
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.
Herbs, biennial or perennial, caulescent, from stout rhizomes or taproots; sap yellow to orange. Stems leafy. Leaves petiolate; basal rosulate, cauline alternate; blade 1-2× pinnately lobed. Inflorescences axillary or terminal, umbelliform, few flowered; bracts present. Flowers: sepals 2, distinct; petals 4; stamens ca. 12-many; pistil 2-carpellate; ovary 1-locular; style ± distinct; stigma 2-lobed. Capsules erect, 2-valved, dehiscing from base. Seeds few to many, arillate. x = 6.
Distribution
North America, Eurasia.
Discussion
Species 1
Selected References
None.