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Magellan Ragwort

Senecio smithii

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae (Daisy)
Also in this family:
Alpine Blue Sow-thistle, Alpine Cotula, Alpine Fleabane, Alpine Saw-wort, Annual Ragweed, Annual Sunflower, Argentine Fleabane, Autumn Hawkbit, Autumn Oxeye, Beaked Hawksbeard, Beggarticks, Bilbao Fleabane, Black Knapweed, Black-eyed Susan, Blanketflower, Blue Fleabane, Blue Globe-thistle, Bristly Oxtongue, Broad-leaved Cudweed, Broad-leaved Ragwort, Brown Knapweed, Butterbur, Buttonweed, Cabbage Thistle, Canadian Fleabane, Canadian Goldenrod, Carline Thistle, Chalk Knapweed, Chamois Ragwort, Changing Michaelmas Daisy, Chicory, Chinese Mugwort, Chinese Ragwort, Coltsfoot, Common Blue Sow-thistle, Common Cat's-ear, Common Cudweed, Common Daisy, Common Dandelion, Common Fleabane, Common Goldenrod, Common Groundsel, Common Michaelmas Daisy, Common Mugwort, Common Ragwort, Common Wormwood, Coneflower, Confused Michaelmas Daisy, Corn Chamomile, Corn Marigold, Cornflower, Cotton Thistle, Cottonweed, Creeping Thistle, Daisy Bush, Dwarf Cudweed, Dwarf Thistle, Early Goldenrod, Eastern Groundsel, Eastern Leopardsbane, Elecampane, English Hawkweed, Fen Ragwort, Feverfew, Field Fleawort, Field Wormwood, Fox and Cubs, French Tarragon, Gallant Soldier, Garden Lettuce, Giant Butterbur, Glabrous-headed Hawkweed, Glandular Globe-thistle, Glaucous Michaelmas Daisy, Globe Artichoke, Globe-thistle, Goat's Beard, Golden Ragwort, Golden Samphire, Goldilocks Aster, Grass-leaved Goldenrod, Great Lettuce, Greater Burdock, Greater Knapweed, Grey-headed Hawkweed, Guernsey Fleabane, Hairless Blue Sow-thistle, Hairless Leptinella, Hairy Michaelmas Daisy, Harpur Crewe's Leopardsbane, Hawkweed Oxtongue, Heath Cudweed, Heath Groundsel, Hemp Agrimony, Highland Cudweed, Hoary Mugwort, Hoary Ragwort, Hybrid Knapweed, Intermediate Burdock, Irish Fleabane, Jersey Cudweed, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lance-leaved Hawkweed, Lavender-cotton, Leafless Hawksbeard, Least Lettuce, Leopardplant, Leopardsbane, Leptinella, Lesser Burdock, Lesser Hawkbit, Lesser Sunflower, London Bur-marigold, Marsh Cudweed, Marsh Hawksbeard, Marsh Ragwort, Marsh Sow-thistle, Marsh Thistle, Meadow Thistle, Melancholy Thistle, Mexican Fleabane, Milk Thistle, Mountain Everlasting, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Musk Thistle, Narrow-leaved Cudweed, Narrow-leaved Hawkweed, Narrow-leaved Michaelmas Daisy, Narrow-leaved Ragwort, New England Hawkweed, New Zealand Holly, Nipplewort, Nodding Bur-marigold, Northern Hawksbeard, Norwegian Mugwort, Oxeye Daisy, Oxford Ragwort, Pearly Everlasting, Perennial Cornflower, Perennial Ragweed, Perennial Sow-thistle, Perennial Sunflower, Pineapple Mayweed, Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane, Ploughman's Spikenard, Plymouth Thistle, Pontic Blue Sow-thistle, Pot Marigold, Prickly Lettuce, Prickly Sow-thistle, Purple Coltsfoot, Rayed Tansy, Red Star Thistle, Red-seeded Dandelion, Red-tipped Cudweed, Robin's Plantain, Roman Chamomile, Rough Cocklebur, Rough Hawkbit, Rough Hawksbeard, Russian Lettuce, Safflower, Salsify, Saw-wort, Scented Mayweed, Scentless Mayweed, Sea Aster, Sea Mayweed, Sea Wormwood, Seaside Daisy, Shaggy Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shaggy Soldier, Shasta Daisy, Shetland Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shrub Ragwort, Sicilian Chamomile, Silver Ragwort, Slender Mugwort, Slender Thistle, Small Cudweed, Small Fleabane, Smooth Cat's-ear, Smooth Hawksbeard, Smooth Sow-thistle, Sneezeweed, Sneezewort, Spear Thistle, Spotted Cat's-ear, Spotted Hawkweed, Sticky Groundsel, Stinking Chamomile, Stinking Hawksbeard, Tall Fleabane, Tall Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Tansy, Thin-leaved Sunflower, Treasureflower, Trifid Bur-marigold, Tuberous Thistle, Tyneside Leopardplant, Viper's Grass, Wall Lettuce, Welsh Groundsel, Welted Thistle, White African Daisy, White Butterbur, White Buttons, Willdenow's Leopardsbane, Winter Heliotrope, Wood Burdock, Wood Ragwort, Woody Fleabane, Woolly Thistle, Yarrow, Yellow Chamomile, Yellow Fox and Cubs, Yellow Oxeye, Yellow Star Thistle, Yellow Thistle, York Groundsel
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
1 metre tall
Habitats:
Ditches, gardens, grassland, meadows, riversides, roadsides, rocky places, seaside, waterside.

Flower:
✿
Yellow, many petals
 
Magellan Ragwort bears clusters of bright yellow, daisy-like flower heads, typically with prominent central discs and narrow ray florets. The flower heads appear in dense terminal clusters and bloom in summer to early autumn in cultivation (roughly July to September in the Northern Hemisphere). These vivid flowers are attractive to insects, particularly flies and small bees, especially in the cool climates where it thrives.
Fruit:
As with most species in the Asteraceae family, the fruit is a small, dry achene, each topped with a pappus of fine hairs that aids in wind dispersal. The seeds are light and fluffy, allowing them to spread over a wide area under breezy conditions.
Leaves:
The leaves are large, deeply lobed or pinnatifid, and have a coarsely toothed margin. They are typically dark green and leathery in texture, helping the plant withstand the harsh, wet climates of its native range. Leaves form a robust basal rosette, with some foliage extending up the flowering stems.
Fragrance:
Magellan Ragwort is not noted for any significant fragrance. The leaves may have a slightly resinous or herbaceous scent when crushed, but the plant is grown more for its striking visual presence than any olfactory appeal.
Other Names:
Smith's Groundsel.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Other Information

Summary

Senecio smithii, also known as Smith's groundsel, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It is native to the southwestern United States and Baja California. It typically grows in dry, rocky areas, such as deserts, chaparral, and sagebrush. The plant has small yellow flowers that bloom in spring, and its leaves are green, lobed, and covered with fine white hairs. It is considered a low-growing perennial shrub, and is often used in xeriscaping and in rock gardens.

Blog

Magellan Ragwort, also known as Senecio smithii, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to South America and can be found in parts of Chile and Argentina. This plant has several unique characteristics that make it an interesting addition to any garden.

Magellan Ragwort is a perennial plant that can grow up to two feet tall. It has thick, fleshy leaves that are covered in a layer of fine white hairs. The leaves are oval-shaped and can range in color from green to gray-green. The flowers of Magellan Ragwort are small and yellow, and they bloom in the summer months.

One of the most unique aspects of Magellan Ragwort is its ability to thrive in poor soil conditions. This plant is known for growing in areas with rocky or sandy soil, and it can even grow in areas where other plants struggle to survive. This makes it an excellent choice for gardeners who are looking to add some greenery to a challenging landscape.

Another benefit of Magellan Ragwort is its low maintenance requirements. This plant is relatively easy to care for and does not require a lot of water or fertilizer. It is also resistant to most pests and diseases, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who want to avoid the use of harsh chemicals.

If you are interested in adding Magellan Ragwort to your garden, there are a few things to keep in mind. This plant prefers well-draining soil and should be watered sparingly. It also needs to be placed in a location that receives full sun or partial shade. If you live in a colder climate, you may need to bring the plant indoors during the winter months to protect it from freezing temperatures.

Magellan Ragwort is a unique and resilient plant that can add some color and greenery to even the most challenging landscapes. Its ability to thrive in poor soil conditions and its low maintenance requirements make it an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels. If you are looking for a new addition to your garden, consider adding Magellan Ragwort to your list of options.

Magellan Ragwort is not only a hardy and low-maintenance plant, but it also has some medicinal properties. In traditional medicine, the plant has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, headaches, and stomach problems. However, it is important to note that the plant can be toxic if ingested in large quantities, so it should not be used for medicinal purposes without proper guidance and supervision.

In addition to its medicinal uses, Magellan Ragwort is also a popular choice for butterfly and bee gardens. The yellow flowers of the plant attract a variety of pollinators, making it an excellent addition to any garden that aims to support local wildlife.

One thing to keep in mind if you are considering adding Magellan Ragwort to your garden is that it is considered an invasive species in some parts of the world. This means that if you live in an area where the plant is not native, it may be important to take steps to prevent it from spreading beyond your garden.

Magellan Ragwort is a unique and interesting plant that has a lot to offer. Its hardiness, low maintenance requirements, and medicinal properties make it an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels. Just be sure to do your research and take appropriate precautions to ensure that the plant thrives without causing harm to the environment.

Another interesting aspect of Magellan Ragwort is its cultural significance. In Chile, where the plant is native, it is known as "Estrella de Chile" or "Star of Chile". The plant is featured in the country's coat of arms and is also the national flower of Chile. It has been used in traditional medicine and has a long history of use by the indigenous people of the region.

In addition to its cultural significance, Magellan Ragwort is also a popular ornamental plant. Its unique appearance and hardiness make it an excellent choice for a variety of garden styles. It can be used as a ground cover or as a border plant, and it also looks great in container gardens.

If you are interested in adding Magellan Ragwort to your garden, it is important to purchase plants from a reputable source. Invasive species can cause significant damage to local ecosystems, so it is important to ensure that the plants you purchase are not invasive in your area. Additionally, you should always follow best practices for planting and caring for your garden to ensure that your plants thrive and do not cause harm to the environment.

Overall, Magellan Ragwort is an interesting and versatile plant that can add a unique touch to any garden. Its hardiness, low maintenance requirements, and cultural significance make it an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map