Senecio pterophorus
shoddy ragwort
Overview
Senecio pterophorus is an erect, short-lived perennial or biennial herb growing 24-79 inches (60-200 cm) tall, woody at the base and branching toward the top. The stems carry narrow leaves 1.2-4 inches (3-10 cm) long with toothed margins, dark green above and white-felted beneath, and each leaf base extends down the stem as a narrow wing, the feature behind the name pterophorus. Branched flat-topped clusters of yellow flower heads appear at the stem tips, each head about 0.3-0.5 inch (8-12 mm) across with a ring of short ray florets around a yellow disc. A single plant produces large numbers of wind-dispersed seeds tipped with a white pappus. Native to South Africa, the species has naturalised in southern Australia, parts of Spain, and California, where it colonises roadsides, pasture, and disturbed ground. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to grazing livestock and damage the liver when consumed over time. Senecio pterophorus is a declared weed in South Australia and is regulated under state biosecurity laws.
Native Range
Senecio pterophorus is native to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal regions of South Africa. It has naturalised as an introduced weed in southern Australia, the Mediterranean region of Spain, and coastal California. It grows on roadsides, overgrazed pasture, and disturbed land.Suggested Uses
Has no horticultural use and is treated as an environmental and pasture weed across its naturalised range. Listed for control rather than planting in affected Australian states. It occupies roadsides, pasture, and disturbed sites where it competes with native vegetation.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 6'7"
Width/Spread1'4" - 3'3"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark green above, white beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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