Intro: Erect, rhizomatous perennial of moist forests, bottomlands, bogs and stream banks.

Stems: Stems 1-several often tufted, branched in inflorescence, bearing cobwebby hairs when young but becoming smooth.

Leaves: Basal leaves petiolate, round to heart-shaped but with rounded tip, 1-2 1/2 in. long, round-toothed, purple and sometimes furry beneath; stem leaves alternate, smaller, mostly sessile, elliptic to lance-shaped and pinnately lobed or toothed.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in branched, more or less flat-topped terminal cluster; heads to 1/2-3/4 in. wide, consisting of 8-13 yellow ray florets encircling a slightly domed, center disk of tiny, yellow, tubular florets.

Fruits: Fruit a small, tufted achene.

Comments:

Height: 1-2 ft.

plant sale text: Golden ragwort has flattened terminal clusters of golden yellow flower heads that brighten the springtime garden. This easily grown perennial combines nicely with eastern columbine or eastern blue phlox. Its rosettes of deep green leaves persist through most of the year. Evenly moist soil is ideal for this southeastern native perennial, but it will also thrive in average soil. Plants will spread readily from creeping roots and self-sown seedlings.

bloom table text: Commonly seen in wet woods, pastures and meadows, the ragworts often grow in masses, creating a sea of gold when in bloom. This plant was used by Native Americans as a gynecological aid. The Catawbas made a tea out of all parts of the plant to relieve the pain of childbirth, and the Cherokee created an infusion that was taken to prevent pregnancy. The generic name comes from senex, a Greek word for "old man", referring to the white, downy appearance of the mature seed heads.

description: Erect, rhizomatous perennial of moist forests, bottomlands, bogs and stream banks.

stems: Stems 1-several often tufted, branched in inflorescence, bearing cobwebby hairs when young but becoming smooth.

leaves: Basal leaves petiolate, round to heart-shaped but with rounded tip, 1-2 1/2 in. long, round-toothed, purple and sometimes furry beneath; stem leaves alternate, smaller, mostly sessile, elliptic to lance-shaped and pinnately lobed or toothed.

inflorescence:

flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in branched, more or less flat-topped terminal cluster; heads to 1/2-3/4 in. wide, consisting of 8-13 yellow ray florets encircling a slightly domed, center disk of tiny, yellow, tubular florets.

fruits: Fruit a small, tufted achene.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code: 2

native range: eastern North America