Seed morphology and toxic properties of greater celandine
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Greater celandine (Papaveraceae family) is a harmful weed that infests gardens and areas adjacent to shrubs. The plant is widespread almost everywhere: in the European part (excluding the Arctic), in the Caucasus, Siberia, and Central Asia. The main problem when it appears on a plot is the pronounced toxic properties of its entire biomass.
All parts of the greater celandine plant contain dangerous alkaloids: sanguinarine, chelerythrine, and chelidonine. The entry of celandine into the green conveyor or forage stocks poses a direct threat of poisoning for livestock animals.
Morphological characteristics of seeds and associated species
The weed forms linear multi-seed capsules 35 cm long, opening with two valves. The seeds of the celandine are unilaterally oval, noticeably compressed on the ventral side, with a black or black-brown slightly shiny reticulate-pitted surface. On the seed, there is a fleshy, almost transparent light-yellow tongue-shaped aril, which completely covers the seed hilum.
| Seed parameter | Value, mm |
|---|---|
| Length | 1.5–1.75 |
| Width | 0.75–1.25 |
| Thickness | 0.5–0.75 |
When surveying land, it is important to distinguish celandine from other poisonous alkaloid-containing members of the Papaveraceae family:
- Wood poppy — accumulates sanguinarine, protopine, and chelerythrine.
- Roemeria — contains roemerine, protopine, and ephedrine.
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