Narrow-leaved Ragwort | Plant Information

Plant Data

Order:

Asterales

Family:

Asteraceae (Daisy)

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Flowers:

Lemon-coloured flowerheads reaching 2.5cm across, dark-tipped bracts.

Fruit:

The fruits of Ragwort are technically referred to as 'achenes' and are dispersed by the wind. In this species, the achenes are cylindrical, between 2-2.5mm long and are covered in fine hairs between the ribs that are present on the outside surface. The white pappus is 2 to 3 times as long as the achenes.

Leaves:

Bright green, alternate and simple with small auricles present on both sides where they meet the stem. The stalkless leaves can be very variable but are normally long (4-14cm) and slender (from 0.3mm to 1cm wide). The Latin part of the plant name "inaequidens" means "irregular tooth", hence the margins of the leaves being irregularly toothed. However, the leaves are usually without any teeth at all (entire). The long, slender leaves are the main distinguishing feature of this Ragwort species.

Maximum Size:

70cm tall.

Foraging Notes:

All parts of the plant are toxic.
Never consume a wild plant unless you are 100% certain that it is safe to eat and you know that you have identified it correctly.

Other Names:

South African Ragwort.

Habitats:

Roadsides, seaside, waterside.