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Senecio vulgaris - L.

Common Name Groundsel
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards All parts of the plant are poisonous to many mammals, including humans. The toxin affects the liver and has a cumulative affect[9, 65]. Some mammals, such as rabbits, do not seem to be harmed by the plant, and will often seek it out[4]. Various birds also eat the leaves and seeds[4].
Habitats Found along roadsides and waste places, it is also a common weed of cultivated land, succeeding on most soils but avoiding shade[7, 9, 17].
Range Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to N. Africa and temperate Asia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Senecio vulgaris Groundsel


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Senecio_vulgaris0.jpgSenna marilandica
Senecio vulgaris Groundsel
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rasbak

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Senecio vulgaris is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower all year, and the seeds ripen all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked or raw[7, 105]. The young leaves have been used in many areas as a salad, though this is very inadvisable, see the notes on toxicity at the top of the page[7].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Anticonvulsant  Antiscorbutic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Homeopathy  Poultice  
Purgative

Groundsel has a long history of herbal use and, although not an officinal plant, it is still often used by herbalists[4]. The whole herb is anthelmintic, antiscorbutic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue and purgative[4, 9, 21, 54]. It is often used as a poultice and is said to be useful in treating sickness of the stomach, whilst a weak infusion is used as a simple and easy purgative[4]. The plant can be harvested in May and dried for later use, or the fresh juice can be extracted and used as required[4]. Use with caution[21]. This plant should not be used by pregnant women[7], see also the notes above on toxicity. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of menstrual disorders and nose bleeds[9].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A good food plant for the caterpillars of many butterfly and moth species, and is one of only two species that provide food for cinnabar moth caterpillars. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A common weed of cultivated land, it does not require cultivation. Groundsel is a good food plant for the caterpillars of many butterfly and moth species, and is one of only two species that provide food for cinnabar moth caterpillars. One report states that this plant was formerly cultivated as a food crop for livestock[54]! Since the plant is a cumulative toxin this use is most questionable.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - it doesn't need any encouragement from us.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Senecio cannabifoliusAleutian ragwortPerennial2.0 4-8  LMHNM12 
Senecio cinerariaCineraria, Dusty miller, Silver GroundselShrub0.6 8-10 MLMHNDM033
Senecio erucifoliusHoary Groundsel, Hoary ragwortPerennial0.6 5-9  LMHNDM02 
Senecio jacobaeaRagwort, Stinking williePerennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNM022
Senecio nemorensis Perennial2.0 5-9  LMHSNM11 
Senecio nemorensis fuchsii Perennial2.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Senecio nikoensis Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM11 
Senecio pierotii Perennial0.6 -  LMHNM10 
Senecio pseudoarnicaSeaside RagwortPerennial0.5 -  LMNM11 
Senecio scandens Climber5.0 8-11 MLMHNM02 
Senecio sylvaticusMountain Groundsel, Woodland ragwortAnnual0.6 5-9  LMHNDM01 
Senecio viscosusSticky Groundsel, Sticky ragwortAnnual0.4 5-9  LMHNDM01 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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Links / References

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Readers comment

   Thu Dec 30 07:32:25 2004

This plant is found in Malta/Mediterranean basin/Europe

More comprehensive details, medicinal properties, uses, botanical data, plant description and photogallery of high resolutions photos of this plant can be seen on an interesting website about the wild plants of Malta: www.maltawildplants.com

Link: Malta Wild Plants Website and photography by Stephen Mifsud, Malta.

Liang Aihua   Sun Nov 23 2008

Hello, I am a researcher working in the field of herb effect and safety. In recent years, I am interested in Senecio family, and have conducted some studies in Senecio scandens which is used as a medicinal plant in China. I want to do the comparative study on Senecio vulgaris and Senecio scandens, but S. vulgaris is not available in China. I wonder if it is possible to get this plant from your company. Thank you very much.

laxman gusain   Mon Apr 27 2009

i want imformation about the senecio nudicaulis.i am astudent of m,sc pharma chemistry.

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