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Oxford Ragwort Senecio squalidus 

 
 
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts ButterfliesButterflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts HoverfliesHoverflies are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Daisy-Like FlowersDaisy-like flowers
Yellow FlowersYellow flowers
Many PetalsMany petals
Apr-Nov Flowering
period
Lobed LeavesLobed leaves
Lobe-Edged LeavesLobe-edged leaves
Ribbed StemRibbed stem
Tap RootTap root
50cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Oxford Ragwort
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Oxford Ragwort is a non-native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in railway tracks, roadsides and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 50cm.

Oxford Ragwort is a native of rocky areas of Sicily and was introduced into the UK as an 'escape' from Oxford Botanic Garden in the late eighteenth century. It can be seen growing amongst the stone chippings of railway tracks and has used the railways to spread rapidly across mainland UK.

Botanic classification and naming: Oxford Ragwort is a member of the Daisy (Asteraceae) family. The genus name 'Senecio' identifies the plant as a Ragwort and its species name 'squalidus' means 'bad-smelling plant'.

Concerns: Oxford Ragwort is toxic, causing poisoning to cattle, sheep and horses, including liver damage.

Benefits: Oxford Ragwort provides a food source for Gall flies.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Oxford Ragwort

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Oxford Ragwort usually flowers between April and November.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Yellow

Yellow

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Daisy-like

Daisy-like

Petals:

Petal Number =  Many

Many

Leaf of Oxford Ragwort

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Lobed

Lobed

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is lobed

lobed

Stem of Oxford Ragwort

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Ribbed

Ribbed

Root type:

Root Type is Tap

Tap