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Senecio linearifolius

fireweed groundsel

Asteraceae South-eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Senecio linearifolius is a soft-wooded evergreen shrub reaching 3-6 feet (1-1.8 m) tall and 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 m) wide, with upright, sparsely branched stems. Leaves are narrow and lance-shaped to linear, 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, green above and paler beneath, with toothed margins and a slightly sticky surface. Clusters of small yellow daisy flower heads, each about 0.3-0.5 inch (8-12 mm) across with a few short ray florets, are held in flattened sprays at the stem tips. Flowering occurs mainly in summer and autumn. The flower heads give way to fluffy seed heads carried on the wind. Growth is fast, and the shrub often appears on disturbed ground and after fire as a short-lived coloniser. All parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver if eaten and harmful to grazing animals. Plants are short-lived, declining after 4-6 years, and become woody and open at the base with age.

Native Range

Native to south-eastern Australia, including Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Queensland. Grows in open forest, gullies, coastal scrub, and disturbed ground, often in moist, sheltered positions.

Suggested Uses

Used in native gardens, bush revegetation, and informal screening on moist sites, spaced 3-5 feet (1-1.5 m) apart. Planted for quick cover on disturbed ground while slower plants establish. The toxic foliage and short lifespan limit its use where grazing animals have access.

How to Identify

Identified by narrow, toothed lance-shaped leaves 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long and flattened sprays of small yellow daisy flower heads with only a few short ray florets. The slightly sticky foliage and fluffy wind-borne seed heads are typical of the genus. Distinguished from introduced fireweed, Senecio madagascariensis, by its larger leaves and shrubby habit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 6'

Width/Spread2' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowers mainly in summer and autumn (December to May in its native range), with scattered flowers at other times. The flattened flower clusters open over several weeks, followed by fluffy seed heads. Flowering is heavier in moist, sheltered sites.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soils. Water during the first season to establish; mature plants tolerate short dry spells. Tolerates light to moderate frost. Growth is fast and the shrub becomes open and woody at the base after a few years. All parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic if eaten and harmful to grazing stock. The species is short-lived and self-seeds, often replacing itself from seedlings rather than persisting as old plants.

Pruning

Cut back by up to one third after flowering to maintain density and reduce self-seeding. Tip prune young plants to encourage branching. Old woody plants respond poorly to hard pruning and are usually replaced.

Pruning Schedule

fallwinter