Common Name: Hoary Groundsel

General Information

Jacobaea erucifolias is a weakly-branched, erect, perennial plant with a creeping, rhizomatous rootstock; it can grow around 40 - 100cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are poisonous to many mammals, including humans. The toxin affects the liver and has a cumulative affect[, ]. Some mammals, such as rabbits, do not seem to be harmed by the plant, and will often seek it out[]. Various birds also eat the leaves and seeds[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Eurasia - Sweden to Britain and Spain, east to eastern Siberia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Iran

Habitat

Forest edges in birch groves, pine woodlands, birch-aspen forests, scrubs, wet floodplain meadows, gravel beds, alkaline steppes, dry slopes, banks of irrigation canals, especially on heavy soils, occasionally in standing grain crops[, , ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is likely to require a sunny position and to succeed in most moderate to heavy soils, including those of an alkaline nature[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used in plasters, ointments and poultices[].

This species is related to the commongroundsel, Senecio vulgaris, and is said to have similar properties[]. These are:-
The whole herb is anthelmintic, antiscorbutic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue and purgative[, , , ]. 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[]. The plant can be harvested in May and dried for later use, or the fresh juice can be extracted and used as required[]. Use with caution[], see notes above on toxicity.

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ.
Division in spring.