Senecio vulgaris
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Jacobaea vulgaris
- Senecio gaffatensis
- Senecio semperflorens
- Senecio taeneriffae
- Phonetic Spelling
- sen-NEESH-shee-oh vul-GAIR-iss
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Common groundsel a winter annual weed in the Asteraceae (daisy) family, is referred to as a summer annual yet this plant can germinate in spring, summer, or fall. Common groundsel is most common in cool, moist conditions. In milder climates or in overwintering structures, plants can survive outdoors in winter. Plants have distinctive lobed leaves and yellow flowers. Seedlings can flower when less than 2 inches tall but may grow to 18 inches. Seeds are wind-dispersed and have little to no dormancy, thus one can have multiple generations per year. Flowers can mature to produce seeds even after being hand weeded. If possible do not let plants go to seed. With new transplants, inspect liners and pots and eradicate new infestations before they spread. Common groundsel is well controlled by preemergence broadleaf herbicides labeled for use.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: A rust disease has been accidentally introduced from Europe that may impact populations.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Senecio
- Species:
- vulgaris L.
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Macronesia, Europe, China, Arabian Peninsula, North Africa
- Distribution:
- Senecio vulgaris is found in roadsides, cracks in pavement or edges of walls, in cultivated fields and in sunny gardens, lawns and along edges of yards and other unmanaged places.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Weed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Head
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Senscio vulgaris has small, dandelion-like flower heads.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Black
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The alternately arranged leaves have deeply lobed margins, and are irregularly toothed. They may be sparsely hairy, although most are hairless. The upper leaves are directly attached to the stem while the lower leaves have a short petiole. Seedlings have long, narrow cotyledons with smooth margins
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Chronically delayed toxicity. Some include lethargy, vomiting, central nervous system signs of hepatic failure.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- .5% up to 1.25% of dry weight of plant.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Roots
- Stems
