Common Ragwort

Common Ragwort Overview

Jacobaea vulgaris is a herbaceous perennial species that typically grows as a biennial. It is in the daisy family Asteraceae (Asteraceae) and historically it was known as Senecio jacobaea before it was reclassified to J. vulgaris. Considered a potent weed that is poisonous to cattle and horses, it produces interesting yellow blooms. This species is an important host species to multiple insects such as the cinnabar moth, Tyria jacobaeae. Considered a weed in many locations, this species is commonly called ragwort, amongst many other names. It is native to Eurasia and deciduous in nature, thus it loses its green foliage in the autumn and regrows new leaves in the spring. Its often found on disturbed and uncultivated land, on sites like the edges of roads or grazing land.