Stinking Willie
Jacobaea erratica
- Native to:
- Algeria, Austria, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Jacobaea
- Species:
- Jacobaea erratica
- USDA Symbol:
- SEJA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Autoplusia olivacea, Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae), common eupithecia (Eupithecia miserulata), Eupithecia bivittata, Eupithecia coagulata, Garden Tiger Moth (Arctia caja), Omnivorous Leafroller (Platynota stultana), orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana), Platyprepia virginalis, Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea), william's plume moth (Platyptilia williamsii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to sandy heathlands and dunes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI