Marsh Fleawort
Tephroseris palustris

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Tephroseris palustris is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Fen ditches.

Circumboreal. Formerly native to Britain, now apparently extinct.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaves and flowering stems - raw or cooked. They have been eaten raw in salads, cooked as greens or have been fermented into a sauerkraut. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Requires a gritty, moisture-retentive but well-drained circumneutral soil and a sunny position. Plants can be short-lived in cultivation.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or late summer in situ. Only just cover the seed and make sure the soil remains moist to enable germination to take place.

Best place to grow: Bog Garden;

Habit: Annual/Biennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Although no mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus that contains a number of plants with a cumulative poisonous effect on the liver. Some caution is advised.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Senecio congestus. (R.Br.)DC. S. palustris. (L.)Hook.