Senecio squarrosus

Leafy Fireweed

Erect to sprawling unbranched herb growing annually from perennial underground stems. Taproot is poorly developed. Stems may have scattered coarse hairs, becoming hairless.

Additional information

FamilyAsteraceae
StoreyLower storey
Sizeto 60 cm high
Plant groupingHerbs & Groundcovers <1m
LeavesLance-shaped to narrow-elliptic stalkless leaves 5-13 cm x 4-15 mm, broader at the tips; short coarse hairs, becoming hairless above, hairless or wispy hairs with warty bases below; margins toothed. Upper leaves becoming very narrow, base lobed.
Flower colourYellowish
Flowering timeOctober to December
FlowersOpen branched terminal clusters of 5-20 well displayed bell-shaped, rayless daisy flowerheads. Seeds black with rows of short hairs.
Bird attractingNo
Butterfly attractingFood plant for caterpillars
Frog habitatNo
Growing conditionsMoist soils in low lying areas and swamp margins of riparian woodland. Full sun, semi shade. A rare plant for the Shire and east of Melbourne.
Garden useGrow in moist areas.
Commercially availableWholesale only - order in advance
Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from very few local sites. Uncommon in Victoria.
Related speciesSenecio psilocarpus was separated from S. squarrosus. It is less hairy with smaller flowerheads and hairless, shiny reddish seeds.