Practical
Plants

Senecio vulgaris

Groundsel

an annual member of the Senecio genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Senecio
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.15 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, 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 to many mammals, including humans. The toxin affects the liver and has a cumulative affect[9][7]. Some mammals, such as rabbits, do not seem to be harmed by the plant, and will often seek it out[5]. Various birds also eat the leaves and seeds[5].

Edible uses

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

Leaves - cooked or raw[8][1]. The young leaves have been used in many areas as a salad, though this is very inadvisable, see the notes on toxicity at the top of the page[8].

Plant part
Leaves

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.

Groundsel has a long history of herbal use and, although not an officinal plant, it is still often used by herbalists[5]. The whole herb is anthelmintic, antiscorbutic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue and purgative[5][9][4][6]. It is often used as a poultice and is said to be useful in treating sickness of the stomach, whilst a weak infusion is used as a simple and easy purgative[5]. The plant can be harvested in May and dried for later use, or the fresh juice can be extracted and used as required[5]. Use with caution[4]. This plant should not be used by pregnant women[8], see also the notes above on toxicity. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of menstrual disorders and nose bleeds[9].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antiscorbutic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Purgative

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to N. Africa and temperate Asia.
Habitat
Found along roadsides and waste places, it is also a common weed of cultivated land, succeeding on most soils but avoiding shade[8][9][2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - it doesn't need any encouragement from us.

Cultivation

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

A common weed of cultivated land, it does not require cultivation. Groundsel 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. One report states that this plant was formerly cultivated as a food crop for livestock[6]! Since the plant is a cumulative toxin this use is most questionable.

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  8. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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