Senecio scandens
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Senecio scandens is an evergreen Climber growing to 5 m (16ft 5in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 5
Where it is found
Shady and damp places by roads. Forests in the Himalayas, 1800 - 3600 metres from Uttar Pradesh to Bhutan.
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The whole plant is depurative, febrifuge and ophthalmic. Internally, a decoction is used in the treatment of epidemic influenza, malaria, boils and abscesses, acute conjunctivitis, dysentery and enteritis. The plant can also be crushed and applied externally.
Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Malaria: Treats malaria - an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites spread to people through the bites of mosquitos.
Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Succeeds in a sunny position in most well-drained moderately fertile soils. Not very hardy in Britain, it succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country where it needs to be grown on a sunny sheltered wall. Requires a warm, dry essentially frost-free climate. Plants can be cut back to the ground in cold winters, though they usually resprout from the base. A climbing plant, it needs support and to be tied onto wires. Any pruning is best carried out in spring.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Root cuttings in early spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Climber
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
One report says that this species is slightly toxic, it belongs to a genus that contains a number of plants with a cumulative poisonous effect on the liver. Some caution is advised.