Senecio

Dendrosenecio

Senecio, commonly known as groundsel or ragwort, is a diverse genus of flowering plants within the Asteraceae family. While many species are admired for their bright, daisy-like blooms, others contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, making them toxic to livestock. Understanding their medicinal properties and toxicity is vital for botanical study.

  • Scientific name: Senecio
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Senecio.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asterales WCVP
Family Asteraceae WCVP
Genus Senecio WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Senecio, is referred to by various common names across different linguistic regions. In Simplified Chinese contexts, such as in mainland China, it is known as 千里光属 (zh-cn) and 千里光属 (zh-sg), while in Traditional Chinese contexts, it is written as 千里光屬 (zh-hant) and 千里光屬 (zh-hk). Additionally, it is identified as 千里光属 (zh-hans) in Simplified Chinese nomenclature.
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 千里光属 Wikidata
zh-hant 千里光屬 Wikidata
zh-hk 千里光屬 Wikidata
zh-cn 千里光属 Wikidata
zh-sg 千里光属 Wikidata
zh-tw 千里光屬 Wikidata
pl Starzec Wikidata
qu Maych'a rikch'ana Wikidata
he סביון Wikidata
be Старасцень Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Its presence also extends to the territories of Finland and the Faroe Islands, known locally as Føroyar. Furthermore, the species is documented across the landscape of Great Britain. Finally, its northern range reaches as far as the rugged terrain of Iceland.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Finland WCVP
Northern Europe Føroyar WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Iceland WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP

Chemicals

Senecio has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include pyrrolizidine alkaloid.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
pyrrolizidine alkaloid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Senecio has 7 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Antiviral.

Total activities
7
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiviral 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Senecio has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include eye diseases, inflammation, pruritus.

Total uses
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
eye diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pruritus 1 ★☆☆☆☆