Japanese name: クサノオウ（草黄、草王、瘡王） Scientific name:Chelidonium majus subsp. asiaticum
[Overview]
A biennial 30–80 cm tall, found in sunny grasslands and along roadsides.
When the stems or leaves are damaged, they exude a yellow sap, which is toxic and causes inflammation if it touches the skin.
The whole plant is tinged powdery white and has curly hairs.
The stem is branched and hollow.
Leaves are alternate, ovate, 7–15 cm long and 5–10 cm wide, and once or twice pinnately divided.
Umbels from the leaf axils bear several flowers.
The flowers are yellow, 4-petaled, about 2 cm across, with many stamens.
The fruit is an erect capsule 3–4 cm long.
The seeds have an appendage (elaiosome) that ants like, and they are carried and dispersed by ants.
[Uses]
Although toxic, the whole plant is used medicinally.
