Species library · Plants & herbs

Greater Celandine: poisonous

Chelidonium majus

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Greater Celandine is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from April to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Disturbed ground, Woodland edges.

☠ Poisonous
Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus)

Photo: (c) Георгий Виноградов (Georgy Vinogradov), some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Георгий Виноградов (Georgy Vinogradov) · iNaturalist

When Greater Celandine appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Greater Celandine is usually found in Disturbed ground, Woodland edges.

Look up Greater Celandine in the app

In the Forage app, Greater Celandine has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Greater Celandine: common questions

Is Greater Celandine poisonous?

Yes. Greater Celandine is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Greater Celandine appear?

Greater Celandine usually appears from April to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Greater Celandine grow?

Greater Celandine is usually found in Disturbed ground, Woodland edges.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits