Common Name: Groundsel

General Information

Senecio vulgaris is an annual to biennial plant with an erect, branched stem; it can grow around 10 - 40cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine
Senecio vulgaris is widespread in temperate Eurasia and has spread by seed to become a common weed of cultivated land in the temperate zone, and often also at higher elevations in the tropics[].

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

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Range

Widespread throughout temperate Eurasia from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but introduced rather than native in eastern China, Japan & Korea; N. Africa

Habitat

Found along roadsides and waste places, it is also a common weed of cultivated land, succeeding on most soils but avoiding shade[, , ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Biennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant does not require cultivation.
Plants can flower all year rouns, especially in areas with mild winters[].
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 contains a cumulative toxin this use is most questionable.

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked or raw[, ]. 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[].

Medicinal

Groundsel has a long history of herbal use and, although not an officinal plant, it is still often used by herbalists[]. 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 late spring and dried for later use, or the fresh juice can be extracted and used as required[]
Use with caution[]. This plant should not be used by pregnant women[], see also the notes above on toxicity.

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[]. It is used in the treatment of menstrual disorders and nose bleeds[].

The leaves contain various alkaloids, of which senecionine and senecine are known antihaemorrhagic substances. The leaves are used both as an extract and as a tincture in gynaecological practice[].

Other Uses

An extract of the plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Propagation

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