Greater celandine is a perennial plant belonging to the poppy family (Papaveraceae). It can grow up to 60 cm in height and the whole plant contains a large amount of a yellow latex that turns orange when it comes into contact with air.
The stems are branched with long hairs and produce pinnate, round toothed leaves that are bright green on top and blue-green underneath.
The yellow flowers sit in umbrella-shaped inflorescence, usually two to six together. The flowers have two sepals and 4 yellow petals. The plant blooms from May to August. After flowering, a narrow and elongated seed capsules develop.