Tall Blacktip Ragwort

Senecio atratus

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Senecio
Species:
Senecio atratus
USDA Symbol:
SEAT

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
60 cm
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies
Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to high-altitude Andean regions

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

Pre-treatment: None required

Establishment: Only one seed germinated in the provided protocol, suggesting a potentially low germination rate. Seeds should be cleaned by removing them from heads.

Source: npn.rngr.net