Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris or Senecio jacobaea) is a biennial (sometimes annual or perennial) herbaceous flowering plant. It is considered an invasive weed in most parts of the world and is well known for its poisonous effects on livestock over the years.
Ragwort Toxic Components
Ragwort contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (jacobine, eruifoline, and senecionine) which can cause liver failure when consumed over a prolonged period of time. Unfortunately, clinical signs take a while to show, which is usually after liver damage is advanced and irreversible.
What Ragwort Looks Like
Ragwort is recognized by its daisy-like, 13 petal, yellow flowers. Ragwort has erect, unbranched stems that grow up to 4 feet in height and branch near their tips. As a biennial, tansy ragwort spends the first year in the rosette stage with dark green basal leaves that appear ruffled. During the second year, one or two flowering stems form.
MANUAL CONTROL: Ragwort can be controlled through hand pulling plants from the soil. However the entire root needs to be removed in order to prevent regrowth. Plants are easiest to remove after plants have bolted but prior to flowering, and following a rainfall when the soil is moist and easier to b
