Fireweed groundsel

Family: Asteraceae
Scientific name: Senecio linearifolius
Description: Plant Form: Perennial herb or shrub. Size: 50 cm to 1.5 m tall. Stem: Hairless to cobwebby and hairy, few branches. Leaves: Alternate up stems, 2-20 cm long, variable shape depending on variant, usually narrow. With smooth or toothed edges. Flowers: Large clusters of 20-200 or more bright yellow daisy flowers with 5-8 petal-like florets and 4-18 flowers in central disk. Fruit and Seeds: Dry, brown, about 2.5 mm across, hairless surface with parachuting hairs (pappus) above. Habitat: This native plant inhabits forests, riparian areas, and coastal scrub. Distinguishing Features: Is generally larger and has more numerous clusters of flowers than other native or invasive Fireweeds (Senecio species). Lacks the winged stem of African daisy (S. pterophorus). Impacts: Note - this is a native species which is weedy overseas. Weed Status: Non-weedy native lookalike Weed Type: Lifeform: Herbaceous

Example images for this weed