Question: Hello! In the back of my house (Westford, MA) is a large wooded area... I think this has only been …
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Question
Hello! In the back of my house (Westford, MA) is a large wooded area... I think this has only been woods for the last 50 years and prior was part of cultivated farmland. My daughter found this plant (picture of its leaves, still green today Nov 15) on a plant less than a foot tall she thinks it is from some type of fern. The coin in the picture is a quarter for sizing... Could you tell us what the plant actually is?
Answer
twexler, your plant is Chelidonium majus (greater celandine). It is a non-native member of the poppy family that has been introduced to New England. If you pay close attention, the next time to pick a portion of the leaf (as you did to get this image), you will see a yellow latex exuding from the break. Best wishes.
