Greater calendine

• Perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the poppy family.
• Greater celandine is low to the ground early in its life cycle but flowers at a height of 1-2 feet.
• Greater celandine flowers have smaller petal which are clearly separated from each other in a cross-shape. The flowers consist of four yellow petals each with two sepals. The flowers appear from late spring to summer.
• The blue-green leaves are pinnate with lobed and wavy margins, up to 30 cm (12 in) long.
• When injured, the plant exudes a yellow to orange latex.
• The seeds are born in skinny silique-like pods (similar to those of mustards) which are held in upright clusters.
• Typically found in degraded woodlands, shady roadsides, dumps, and similarly disturbed areas.

• Native of Europe that was introduced to North America in the late 1600’s as an herbal remedy for skin problems and many other ailments.
• Occurs in southwest British Columbia, and from Ontario to Nova Scotia.
• This plant reproduces by seed. The seeds are attractive to ants who aid in their dispersal.

• May grow in dense stands that suppress native tree seedlings due to shade.
• The entire plant is toxic, especially the roots.

• Greater calendine is currently classified as Insufficient Information on the CKISS Annual Priority List.
• There is insufficient information on greater calendine and the impact that it has in the CKISS region.
• CKISS will continue to monitor and manage greater calendine.

Prevention

• Be PlantWise to avoid spreading greater calendine.

Mechanical Treatment

• Hand pull plants (ideally before they go to seed).
• Wear gloves because the sap may irritate your skin.