Senecio sylvaticus
Mountain Groundsel
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Senecio
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Spread
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies
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.
All parts of the plant are poisonous to many mammals, including humans. The toxin affects the liver and has a cumulative affect[5][4]. Some mammals, such as rabbits, do not seem to be harmed by the plant, and will often seek it out[3]. Various birds also eat the leaves and seeds[3].
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.
The plant is detergent and antiscorbutic[3].
- Product or use
- Antiscorbutic
- Product or use
- Detergent
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to Spain the Balkans and W. Asia.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ.
Cultivation
See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs. The plant has an unpleasant odour[3].
References
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2