| a Eurasian plant, Ranunculus ficaria, of the buttercup family, having heart-shaped leaves and glossy yellow flowers, naturalized in North America. |
[sel-uh
n-dahyn, -deen] 
| 1. | Also called greater celandine, swallowwort. an Old World plant, Chelidonium majus, of the poppy family, having yellow flowers. |
| 2. | Also called lesser celandine. an Old World plant, Ranunculus ficaria, of the buttercup family, having fleshy, heart-shaped leaves and solitary yellow flowers. |
n swallow; said to be so called because it blooms when the swallows return in spring| lesser celandine n. A Eurasian plant (Ranunculus ficaria) having heart-shaped leaves, solitary yellow flowers, and tuberous roots. |