Definition

Noun: 1. A perennial herb (Chelidonium majus, also called greater celandine) characterized by a branched woody base and bright yellow flowers. It is a plant of the poppy family. 2. A tropical herb (Asclepias curassavica, also called blood flower or tropical milkweed) with orange-red flowers and seed pods that resemble the outspread wings of a swallow. It is considered a weed in tropical regions.

Usage Examples

• The swallowwort growing by the fence has distinctive yellow sap.
• Gardeners often remove swallowwort because it can spread aggressively.
• The butterfly was attracted to the vibrant orange flowers of the swallowwort.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Context: The term "swallowwort" is a common name applied to several different plant species in different genera (primarily and ), which can lead to confusion. Accurate identification requires the scientific name.
• Historical/Etymological Context: The name "swallowwort" originates from the Old English "swalewe wyrt" (swallow plant), possibly because it was believed to flower when swallows arrived or, in the case of , because its seed pods resemble swallows in flight.

Variants and Related Words

• Greater Celandine: A common name for .
• Blood Flower: A common name for .
• Celandine: Often used interchangeably for , though it can also refer to the lesser celandine (), a different plant.

Synonyms

• For : Greater celandine, tetterwort.
• For : Tropical milkweed, blood flower, bastard ipecacuanha.

Related Phrases

• Invasive swallowwort: Refers to species like pale swallowwort () or black swallowwort (), which are highly invasive vines in North America. (Note: These are different plants from the primary definitions but share the common name).
• Milkweed family: is a member of the Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) family.

Noun

1. perennial herb with branched woody stock and bright yellow flowers
2. tropical herb having orange-red flowers followed by pods suggesting a swallow with outspread wings; a weed throughout the tropics