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Senecio vulgaris
  • Groundsel

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Senecio vulgaris has 0 edible uses listed
Senecio vulgaris has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant are poisonous to many mammals, including humans. The toxin affects the liver and has a cumulative affect[1][2]. 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].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - cooked or raw[4][5]. 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[4].

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Senecio vulgaris.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Groundsel has a long history of herbal use and, although not an officinal plant, it is still often used by herbalists[3]. The whole herb is anthelmintic, antiscorbutic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue and purgative[3][1][6][7]. 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[3]. The plant can be harvested in May and dried for later use, or the fresh juice can be extracted and used as required[3]. Use with caution[6]. This plant should not be used by pregnant women[4], see also the notes above on toxicity. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[1]. It is used in the treatment of menstrual disorders and nose bleeds[1].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Antiscorbutic
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Emmenagogue
Homeopathy
Poultice
Purgative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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

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



Cultivation

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[7]! Since the plant is a cumulative toxin this use is most questionable.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Senecio vulgaris. 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 vulgaris.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Senecio vulgaris
Genus
Senecio
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
[4][5]
Medicinal uses
[3][1][6][7][4]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[8][9]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
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
annual
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
0.3 x 0.15 meters
Fertility
self fertile
Pollinators
Insects, Self
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Common Groundsel-first fruits.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Common Groundsel-first fruits.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Common Groundsel-first fruits.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Common Groundsel-first fruits.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
  2. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)
  8. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
  9. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

"image:Common Groundsel-first fruits.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Senecio_vulgaris&oldid=80852"
Facts about "Senecio vulgaris"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyCompositae +
Belongs to genusSenecio +
Has binomial nameSenecio vulgaris +
Has common nameGroundsel +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partLeaves +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure + and High wind +
Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Insects + and Self +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone6 +
Has imageCommon Groundsel-first fruits.jpg +
Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
Has mature height0.3 +
Has mature width0.15 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Antiscorbutic +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Emmenagogue +, Homeopathy +, Poultice + and Purgative +
Has primary imageCommon Groundsel-first fruits.jpg +
Has search namesenecio vulgaris + and groundsel +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameSenecio vulgaris +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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