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Senecio minimus

coastal burnweed

Asteraceae

South-eastern Australia and New Zealand

Attracts Pollinators

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

Overview

An erect annual to biennial herb reaching 24-80 inches (60-200 cm) tall and 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) wide, with a single ridged stem branching toward the top. Leaves are lance-shaped to oblong, 2-7 inches (5-18 cm) long, green, with toothed margins, stalkless and clasping the stem, reducing in size upward. Flower heads are small and cylindrical, about 0.2-0.3 inch (5-8 mm) long, cream to pale yellow, lacking spreading ray florets, gathered in open branched clusters. Flowering occurs summer through autumn. Seeds are tiny, each carried on a tuft of white hairs that aids wind dispersal. Growth is fast on disturbed and recently burnt ground. All parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver if eaten. Plants die after setting seed.

Native Range

Native to south-eastern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Grows in open forest, clearings, and disturbed or recently burnt ground, often appearing in large numbers after fire on moist, fertile soils.

Suggested Uses

Appears as a pioneer of burnt and disturbed ground rather than a cultivated plant. It occurs in regenerating bushland and fire-affected sites. The toxic foliage and weedy seeding limit any garden use.

How to Identify

Identified by erect ridged stems, clasping toothed leaves, and small cylindrical cream to pale yellow flower heads 0.2-0.3 inch (5-8 mm) long without spreading ray florets. The seed heads form fluffy white tufts. The rayless heads and clasping leaf bases separate it from Senecio spp. species with spreading yellow petals.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 6'8"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowers summer through autumn in its native range. The small rayless heads open in branched clusters over several weeks. Each plant produces many wind-borne seeds. Flowering follows rapidly after germination on burnt or cleared ground.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Cream to pale yellow

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-9 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 Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows readily on disturbed, moist, fertile ground and needs no cultivation. Tolerates full sun to part shade. Self-seeds heavily, producing dense stands of seedlings, particularly after fire. All parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that cause liver damage in people and livestock if eaten. The wind-borne seeds spread widely into surrounding areas. Plants die after flowering and seeding.

Pruning

Cut or pull plants before the seed heads mature to limit spread. Remove whole plants at the base where dense stands are not wanted. No formative pruning applies, as plants are short-lived. The fluffy seeds release readily when the heads are disturbed.

Pruning Schedule

summer