groundsel

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• common groundsel
• common ragwort
• Groundsel
• common fireweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is further classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus name, Senecio.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its distribution also extends to the islands of Føroyar and Iceland. Furthermore, the species is commonly documented throughout Great Britain. Together, these locations highlight its ability to thrive in various Northern European environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senecio vulgaris is characterized by its ability to thrive in highly disturbed anthropogenic environments, specifically occupying habitats classified as Área Antrópica. This species demonstrates a remarkable adaptive capacity across a vast altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to extreme elevations of 3500 m AMSL. Throughout its distribution, it maintains an average elevation of approximately 1300 m AMSL, showcasing its resilience in both lowland disturbed soils and high-altitude ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Senecio vulgaris are characterized by significant chromosomal variability and complex polyploid tendencies. The species exhibits diverse chromosome numbers, with documented counts of 20, 38, and 40, reflecting a high degree of genomic plasticity. While the baseline ploidy level is recorded as 2, indicating a diploid state, the fluctuations in chromosome numbers suggest that the species frequently undergoes evolutionary processes such as aneuploidy or polyploidization, which may contribute to its adaptability in various ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

20, 38, 40

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Senecio vulgaris is characterized by its status as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire biological cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by completing its life cycle rapidly and persisting through the production of numerous seeds rather than through overwintering vegetative structures. This plant exhibits an evergreen nature in its foliage during its active growth period, maintaining its green photosynthetic tissue throughout its short existence. Its developmental strategy is defined by this therophytic life form, which allows it to colonize disturbed habitats effectively by relying on a rapid reproductive turnaround.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Senecio vulgaris is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is a self-supporting organism that does not function as a climber or a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. It is a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of its physical stature, the plant exhibits a relatively low profile with a height that varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.32 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.32 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senecio vulgaris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, as it does not possess the mechanisms to capture prey. The plant is not a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient availability to support its metabolic processes. Its foliar morphology plays a significant role in its resource acquisition, with leaves exhibiting an elliptic form and a mean leaf size of 5.13 cm². The dimensions of the leaves vary considerably, with a minimum leaf length of 2 cm and a maximum length of 10 cm, while the leaf width ranges from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 4.5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 2 cm. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 298.2 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf thickness and its efficiency in light interception relative to its biomass.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf size mean:

5.13 cm²

Leaf width max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

298.2 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senecio vulgaris is characterized by sexual processes through bisexual flowers arranged in a panicle inflorescence. These flowers are yellow in color, with dimensions ranging from 0.8 to 1 cm in length and 0.4 to 0.45 cm in width. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate fertilization, although self-fertilization is also present. The flowering period is highly variable, potentially spanning from December through April. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. These fruits typically measure between 0.15 and 0.25 cm in length, with an average length of 0.2 cm and an average width of 0.2 cm. The seeds contained within are extremely prolific, with more than 1,000 seeds per fruit. Each seed has a mean length of 1.8 mm, a mean volume of 0.23 mm³, and a mean mass of approximately 0.00046025 g (ranging from 0.00016 g to 0.00033 g). Dispersal is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind. Asexual reproduction is noted to be absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

1 cm

Flower length min:

0.8 cm

Flower width max:

0.45 cm

Flower width min:

0.4 cm

Flowering time :

Dec

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.2 cm

Fruit length min:

0.15 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width mean:

0.2 cm

Inflorescence :

panicle

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

1.8 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00033 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00046025 g

Seed mass min:

0.00016 g

Seed volume max:

0.23 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Senecio vulgaris has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include SENECIONINE, RETRORSINE, Isoline, Pyrrolizidine alkaloid, SENECIPHYLLINE.

SENECIONINE

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Toxicology and applied pharmacology
3. International journal of analytical chemistry

RETRORSINE

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Natural product research

Isoline

1. Toxicology and applied pharmacology

Pyrrolizidine alkaloid

1. Gastroenterologia y hepatologia

SENECIPHYLLINE

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

monocrotaline

1. Toxicology and applied pharmacology

onetine

1. Natural product research

usaramine N-oxide

1. Natural product research

Activities

Senecio vulgaris has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatotoxic.

Hepatotoxic

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Conditions

Senecio vulgaris has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include apoptosis, portal hypertension.

Apoptosis

1. Toxicology and applied pharmacology

Portal hypertension

1. Gastroenterologia y hepatologia

Preparations

Senecio vulgaris has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Senecio vulgaris tea, n-butanol extracts.

Senecio vulgaris tea

1. Gastroenterologia y hepatologia

N-butanol extracts

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis