Purple groundsel
Botanical Name
Senecio elegans
Family
Asteraceae (daisy)
Also known as
Wild cineraria
Where is it originally from?
South Africa
What does it look like?
Erect annual herb (10-60cm tall) that starts as a rosette and develops soft, lobed, oval leaves that decrease in size up the stem. Clusters of pink or purple flowers (Aug-May) are followed by downy, parachute-like seeds.
Are there any similar species?
Pink ragwort (Senecio glastifolius) is perennial rather than annual, and has no petioles (leaf stems)
Why is it weedy?
Spreads and grows rapidly.
How does it spread?
Produces large amounts of wind-spread seed.
What damage does it do?
Can outcompete native vegetation on sand dunes.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Sand dunes
What can I do to get rid of it?
Pull out plants before flowering, making sure to remove the root crown.
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Regular follow up is required, ensuring plants are removed before flowering.
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