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arrowleaf groundsel

stinking willie, tansy ragwort

Habit Herbs perennial, (2)5–12(20) dm; caudices branching, woody, rhizomatous. Herbs perennial, 2–8(10) dm; caudices ± woody, branching, rhizomatous.
Stems

1 or 2–4 and loosely clustered, glabrous or sparsely pubescent.

1, or rarely 2–4 and loosely clustered, often purple-tinged, sparsely and unevenly tomentose.

Leaves

basal present at flowering;

cauline ± evenly distributed along stems, gradually reduced distally, narrowly to widely triangular, bases tapered to truncate or cordate;

margins dentate, rarely subentire;

surfaces sparsely tomentose to nearly glabrous;

proximal petiolate;

distal sessile.

basal usually withering before flowering;

cauline ± evenly distributed along stems;

distal slightly smaller; ovate to broadly ovate, bases tapered, usually 1–3-pinnate, ultimate margins dentate;

lobes obovate to spatulate, petiolate.

Inflorescences

corymb- or ± raceme-like arrays;

bracts conspicuous.

compound corymb-like arrays;

bracts conspicuous but small.

Involucres

cylindric to narrowly campanulate.

widely cylindric or urn-shaped.

Ray florets

~8;

rays 9–15 mm.

~13;

rays 8–12 mm.

Disc florets

35–45.

60–70+.

Phyllaries

(8)13(21), 6–10 mm;

tips green, rarely black.

13, 3–4(5);

tips black or dark green.

Calyculi

2–6 bractlets, inconspicuous, rarely > 2 mm.

2–6 bractlets, inconspicuous, usually < 2 mm.

Fruits

2.5–3.5 mm, glabrous.

0.75–1.3 mm, sparsely hairy or glabrous.

Heads

10–30(60).

(10)20–60+.

2n

=40, 80.

=40.

Senecio triangularis

Senecio jacobaea

Distribution
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
[WildflowerSearch map]
Discussion

Open areas, rocky streambanks, wet meadows, bogs, damp places in coniferous forests. Flowering May–Sep. 0–2800 m. BR, BW, Casc, CR, ECas, Est, Lava, Sisk, WV. CA, ID, NV, WA; north to AK, northeast to MT, east to WY, southeast to NM. Native.

Some plants with narrow, subentire leaves that taper to the petioles have been found in acidic bogs in Washington and Oregon. A few authors recognize these as variety angustifolia. However, this author has observed several specimens (specifically indicated as being collected in bogs) that had both narrower leaves and the wider leaves more typical of variety triangularis on the same plant.

Disturbed areas, pastures, roadsides. Flowering May–Sep. 0–1600 m. Casc, CR, Est, Sisk, WV. CA, ID, WA; north to British Columbia, northeast to MT, northeastern North America; Europe. Exotic.

Senecio jacobea is an introduced weed, originally from Europe. It establishes in places with cool, wet summers and is particularly toxic to livestock. In most states where it occurs, this species has been declared a noxious weed.

Source Flora of Oregon, volume 2, page 341
Debra Trock
Flora of Oregon, volume 2, page 340
Debra Trock
Sibling taxa
S. aronicoides, S. crassulus, S. ertterae, S. fremontii, S. hydrophiloides, S. hydrophilus, S. integerrimus, S. jacobaea, S. serra, S. sphaerocephalus, S. sylvaticus, S. viscosus, S. vulgaris
S. aronicoides, S. crassulus, S. ertterae, S. fremontii, S. hydrophiloides, S. hydrophilus, S. integerrimus, S. serra, S. sphaerocephalus, S. sylvaticus, S. triangularis, S. viscosus, S. vulgaris
Synonyms Senecio gibbonsii, Senecio triangularis var. angustifolius, Senecio triangularis var. triangularis Jacobaea vulgaris
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