Practical
Plants

Senecio jacobaea

Ragwort

a perennial member of the Senecio genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Senecio
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

All parts of the plant are poisonous[8][4]. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, in isolation these substances are highly toxic to the liver and have a cumulative affect even when the whole plant is consumed[9][7].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue and expectorant[10][6]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[10]. Use with caution[6], when applied internally it can cause severe damage to the liver[10]. See also the notes above on toxicity. An emollient poultice is made from the leaves[8]. The juice of the plant is cooling and astringent, it is used as a wash in burns, sores, cancerous ulcers and eye inflammations[8]. It makes a good gargle for ulcerated mouths and throats and is also said to take away the pain of a bee sting[8]. Caution is advised here since the plant is poisonous and some people develop a rash from merely touching this plant[K]. A decoction of the root is said to be good for treating internal bruises and wounds[8]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[10]. It is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea and other female complaints, internal haemorrhages and other internal disorders[10].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Homeopathy

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A good green dye is obtained from the leaves, though it is not very permanent[8][1]. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers when alum is used as a mordant[8][1][2]. Brown and orange can also be obtained[2].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to N. Africa, Caucasua and W. Asia.
Habitat
Waste ground and pastures on all but the poorest soils[8][3]. It is often only an annual[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
False
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A noxious weed, it doesn't need any help in spreading itself about.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeding on all but the poorest soils, this plant is a declared noxious weed in Britain spreading freely by seed. It should not be cultivated other than in controlled conditions for scientific research. Ragwort can be eradicated by pulling it up just before it comes into flower, or by cutting it down as the flowers begin to open (this latter may need to be repeated about six weeks later)[8]. Ragwort 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.

References

  1. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2

  2. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  6. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  7. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  8. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  9. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  10. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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