Aleutian Ragwort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Aleutian Ragwort
• Hemp-leaved ragwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Senecio cannabifolius f. pubinervis
• Jacobaea palmata
• Senecio cannabifolius var. davuricus
• Senecio cannabifolius
• Senecio cicutarius
• Senecio palmatus subsp. davuricus
• Senecio palmatus var. cannabifolius
• Solidago palmata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered as Asterales and categorized under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Jacobaea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that extends across several distinct regions of the Eurasian continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be specifically noted within the borders of Sweden. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is also found distributed throughout Germany. The plant has a significant presence in Siberia, where it inhabits the regions of Buryatiya and Chita. Additionally, its distribution continues further into the Siberian landscape through the Irkutsk region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Jacobaea cannabifolia is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of environmental settings, demonstrating significant adaptability to varied landscapes. This species is commonly found inhabiting forest ecosystems and open meadows, where it can integrate into the understory or sunlit clearings. Additionally, it colonizes shrubberies and occupies coastal or riparian zones along shores, indicating a tolerance for both shaded woodland conditions and more exposed, moisture-influenced environments. This broad distribution across different vegetation structures allows it to occupy various ecological niches within its native range.

Habitat :

forest, meadows, shores, shrubberies

Genetics

The genetics of Jacobaea cannabifolia are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration defined by its ploidy level. Based on available cytogenetic data, the plant exhibits a haploid number represented by the value n, which serves as the fundamental genetic baseline for its reproductive and cellular processes. This chromosomal state is central to understanding the species' inheritance patterns, genome stability, and its potential for polyploidization, which often drives evolutionary adaptation and chemical diversification in members of the Asteraceae family.

Ploidy :

n

Life history

The life history of Jacobaea cannabifolia is characterized by its classification as a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years and possesses the biological capacity to persist through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its development, the plant undergoes a cycle of vegetative growth and reproductive stages, often dictated by local environmental conditions and resource availability. As a perennial, it typically establishes a robust root system that allows it to survive dormant periods, enabling it to emerge and flourish annually. The progression from seedling to maturity involves a period of structural development where the plant accumulates the necessary energy reserves to support flowering and seed production, ensuring the continuation of its lineage within its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Jacobaea cannabifolia is characterized by a growth form consisting of a non-woody herb or forb. This plant is a self-supporting species, lacking both climbing and parasitic tendencies, and functions as an independent organism that is strictly terrestrial rather than an epiphyte or aquatic plant. It exhibits a vertical stature with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Jacobaea cannabifolia is characterized by a sexual reproductive strategy utilizing bisexual flowers. The flowering period is concentrated in the month of July, marking both the start and the end of its seasonal bloom. Following fertilization, the plant produces fruits that typically measure an average of 0.375 cm in length, with individual fruit sizes ranging from a minimum of 0.35 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm. The resulting seeds are remarkably lightweight, maintaining a consistent mass of 0.00058 g (representing the mean, minimum, and maximum values recorded). To facilitate the spread of its progeny, the species employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport its seeds to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.375 cm

Fruit length min:

0.35 cm

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass mean:

0.00058 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Jacobaea cannabifolia has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology