Senecio vulgaris L. (sen-NEESH-shee-oh vul-GAIR-iss)
Family: AsteraceaeNon-native
Non-native
Common groundsel is a winter annual weed in the Asteraceae (daisy) family, is referred to as a summer annual, yet this plant can germinate in spring, summer, or fall. Native to Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia, it is believed to have arrived in North America mixed with grain that was brought by settlers. The common name comes from the Anglo-Saxon word groundeswelge, translating to 'ground swallower' which describes how quickly this weedy annual can spread. Common groundsel is most common in cool, moist conditions and can be found growing in ornamental and vegetable gardens as well as in forage and row crops. It is also found in disturbed locations such as roadsides, waste sites and cracks in pavement or sidewalks. In milder climates or in overwintering structures, plants can survive outdoors in winter. Plants have distinctive lobed leaves and yellow flowers. Seedlings can flower when less than 2 inches tall, but may grow to 18 inches. Seeds are wind-dispersed and have little to no dormancy, thus one can have multiple generations per year. It is believed that a plant can produce up to a million seeds in one season. Flowers can mature to produce seeds even after being hand weeded. If possible, do not let plants go to seed. With new transplants, inspect liners and pots and eradicate new infestations before they spread. Common groundsel is well controlled by pre-emergence broadleaf herbicides labeled for use. Unfortunately, there are no pre-emergence chemicals available for home use. Tilling the soil in both the fall and early spring will provide some control as well as covering the area is a thick layer of coarse mulch. That will prevent the seedlings from growing. One of only two species that are consumed by the cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae ) caterpillar. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : A rust disease has been accidentally introduced from Europe that may impact populations. Composting with other yard debris can lead to the plant spreading. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course created in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Senecio .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Black; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Lobed; Serrate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The alternately arranged leaves have deeply lobed margins, and are irregularly toothed. They may be sparsely hairy, although most are hairless. The upper leaves are directly attached to the stem, while the lower leaves have a short petiole. Seedlings have long, narrow cotyledons with smooth margins. Basel leaves are typically purplish on the underside.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Corymb; Head; Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The small, disk shaped dandelion-like flower heads are numerous. They appear in terminal clusters and appear at the tips of the branching stems and upper leaf axils. May have a drooping appearance while developing. They have no petals.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Slender and ridged, the seeds have a tuft of silky white hairs at the tip.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Typically have one stem that may be branched. The purple stems are hollow and fleshy.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Macronesia, Europe, China, Arabian Peninsula, North Africa
Distribution
Senecio vulgaris is found in roadsides, cracks in pavement or edges of walls, in cultivated fields and in sunny gardens, lawns and along edges of yards and other unmanaged places.
Wildlife value
Caterpillars of many butterfly and moth species consume the leaves.