Ragwort Senecio
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Ragwort:
- Phonetic Spelling
- se-NEE-see-oh
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Senecio is in the daisy family (Asteraceae) and includes ragworts and groundsels. It contains over 1,000 species of flowering plants and contains both annuals and perennials from succulents to shrubs to trees to vines.
Most prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Size and shape vary greatly per species
Most have clusters of yellow ray flowers surrounding a darker center of florets. The sap from some plants can cause skin irritation. Wear gloves to avoid direct contact. Avoid locations where pets or children can access the plants.
Useage varies per species with some being showy garden perennials.
Quick ID:
- Variety of forms among species
- Dense, silvery hairs on the leaves
- Yellow, daisy-like flowers (heads of disk and rays)
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Some insects that may affect this plant are mealybugs and scale. Cineraria leaf rust can be an issue on both the stems and foliage.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course created in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- S. candicans 'Angel Wings', S. crassissimus, S. vulgaris
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- S. candicans 'Angel Wings', S. crassissimus, S. vulgaris
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Senecio
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Leaf Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- Some plants used by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterflies & moths) species as host plants
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Textural
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Columnar
- Creeping
- Erect
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Achene topped with a fluff of white hairs
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The clusters of flowers are yellow (rarely white or purple) in a head resembling a small sunflower. The flower clusters contain 10 to 22 small rayless flower heads.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Oblong
- Orbicular
- Peltate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves vary greatly per species
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
