Threadleaf Ragwort
Senecio flaccidus
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Patrick Alexander (www.flickr.com) from Las Cruces, NM
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Senecio
- Species:
- Senecio flaccidus
- USDA Symbol:
- SEFL3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agonopterix dammersi, American sunflower moth (Homoeosoma electella), Sonia vovana
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Butterflies:Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; common in fire-prone desert scrub and grassland communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are directly sown in open flats using a growing medium of 2 parts sand, 1 part mulch and 2 parts perlite (v:v:v).
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected when achenes have matured. The plant is found in washes and dry streambeds below 5,000 ft elevation from central Californian coast range to the Mojave desert and Santa Cruz and Santa Catalina islands.
Source: npn.rngr.net