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Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant are poisonous[1][2]. 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[3][4].
Ragwort does not accumulate in the liver. It is the damage it causes to the liver that is cumulative, due to the effect that the alkoloids have on the liver. A horse needs to eat between 5% and 25% of its body weight in order for it to be lethal, although it is not known over what period of time. Horses won't graze on ragwort unless they are not eating anything else. The biggest danger is if it is baled with hay in its dried form, which is still toxic. As toxicity goes, ragwort is not classed as 'highly toxic', which is a defined term that means it has have a serious effect when the equivalent of only 5% of body weight is consumed. Due to the toxicity entering the bodies of cinnabar moth caterpillars, it is poisonous to birds, with the exception of the cuckoo which likes these caterpillars very much and is unharmed by them. Ragwort is a very beneficial plant for countless insects.

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Senecio jacobaea.

Material uses

A good green dye is obtained from the leaves, though it is not very permanent[1][5]. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers when alum is used as a mordant[1][5][6]. Brown and orange can also be obtained[6].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The plant is astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue and expectorant[7][8]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[7]. Use with caution[8], when applied internally it can cause severe damage to the liver[7]. See also the notes above on toxicity.

An emollient poultice is made from the leaves[1]. The juice of the plant is cooling and astringent, it is used as a wash in burns, sores, cancerous ulcers and eye inflammations[1]. It makes a good gargle for ulcerated mouths and throats and is also said to take away the pain of a bee sting[1]. 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[1].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[7]. It is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea and other female complaints, internal haemorrhages and other internal disorders[7].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Senecio jacobaea. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

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)[1]. 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.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Senecio jacobaea. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Senecio jacobaea.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Senecio jacobaea
Genus
Senecio
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Dye)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Homeopathy)
  • Unknown part (Astringent)
  • Unknown part (Diaphoretic)
  • Unknown part (Diuretic)
  • Unknown part (Emmenagogue)
  • Unknown part (Expectorant)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 0.5
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.71.81.9 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 ()
    2. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 ()
    3. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 ()
    4. ? Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 ()
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 ()
    9. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press ()
    10. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ()



    "image:Jacobskruiskruid bloeiende plant Senecio jacobaea.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Article is incompleteFalse +
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    Article requires cleanupFalse +
    Belongs to familyCompositae +
    Belongs to genusSenecio +
    Has binomial nameSenecio jacobaea +
    Has common nameRagwort +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageJacobskruiskruid bloeiende plant Senecio jacobaea.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Emmenagogue +, Expectorant + and Homeopathy +
    Has primary imageJacobskruiskruid bloeiende plant Senecio jacobaea.jpg +
    Has search namesenecio jacobaea + and ragwort +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameSenecio jacobaea +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
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    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates air pollutionFalse +
    Tolerates maritime exposureFalse +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilFalse +
    Tolerates windFalse +
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