Marsh ragwort
Senecio congestus
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A small herb. It grows 20-75 cm high. The plant is softly hairy. The leaves at the base are sword shaped with wavy edges. The upper leaves are smaller and clasp the stem. The flowers are yellow disks. The flower heads are 1-2 cm wide and several occur in a tight cluster. The fruit is a small dry achene.
There are over 1000 Senecio species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in wet places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Arctic, Canada, North America
How it is used for food
Caution: The plant is considered poisonous. The young leaves are eaten as a salad, cooked as a potherb or made into a sauerkraut.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowering stems
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Marsh fleabane