Senecio vulgaris

Senecio vulgaris, often known by the common names groundsel and old-man-in-the-spring, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is an annual herb, native to the Palaearctic and widely naturalised as a ruderal species in suitable disturbed habitats worldwide.

Description

A herb. It is an annual plant. The plant grows to 15-40 cm high. Stems may branch in an irregular fashion. The leaves which form a ring at the base have leaf stalks. The leaves on the stems do not have stalks. They sometimes clasp the stem. They are 5-7.5 cm long. The leaves are fleshy and lobed. There are irregular teeth around the edge. The flower is at the top or in the axils of leaves near the top. The flower heads are in dense clusters. The flowers are yellow.

Edible Uses

Young leaves have been used in many areas as a salad, raw or cooked, though this is strongly inadvisable given the plant's toxicity — see known hazards.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION: It can cause diarrhoea and vomiting. The leaves are used in stews and soups. They are boiled and then cooked in oil.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Groundsel has a long history of herbal use and, while not an officinal plant, it remains used by herbalists. The whole herb is anthelmintic, antiscorbutic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, and purgative. It is often applied as a poultice and is said to ease stomach sickness; a weak infusion serves as a simple purgative. The plant can be harvested in May and dried for later use, or the fresh juice extracted as needed. Use with caution — this plant should not be used by pregnant women. A homeopathic remedy made from the plant is used to treat menstrual disorders and nosebleeds.

Known Hazards

The plant has known toxicity concerns. It should not be used by pregnant women. The leaves are very inadvisable eaten raw or cooked due to these toxicity issues.

Distribution

It grows in temperate places. In China it grows between 300-2,300 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Alaska, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Is., Caucasus, Chile, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Crete, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe*, Falklands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Manchuria, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South America, Russia, Siberia, Sicily, Sinai, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Taiwan, Tasmania, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, West Indies, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe,

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

Propagation

Seed - this plant requires no encouragement to self-sow.

Other Uses

Groundsel is a good food plant for the caterpillars of many butterfly and moth species, and is one of only two plants that support cinnabar moth caterpillars. It is also a dynamic accumulator and attracts wildlife.

Notes

There are over 1000 Senecio species. It is used in medicine.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Gyabzhar, Hierba cana, Kanaryaotu, Mancialebbri, Nilhue chico, Senecio anual, Starcek obecny, Sutluce

References (20)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 567
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 447
• Dashorst, G.R.M., and Jessop, J.P., 1998, Plants of the Adelaide Plains & Hills. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium. p 140
• Dogan, Y., et al, 2004, The Use of Wild Edible Plants in Western and Central Anatolia (Turkey). Economic Botany 58(4) pp. 684-690
• Dogan, Y., 2012, Traditionally used wild edible greens in the Aegean Region of Turkey. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 81(4): 329-342

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