This yellow-flowering plant, also known as ragweed, has spread massively in recent years. Poisoning from the alkaloids contained does not only occur in animals, but also poses a health risk to humans. In order to avoid confusion with non-toxic plants and to protect domestic and grazing animals, it is important that you clearly identify the ragwort and from others plants can distinguish.

Ragwort has numerous petals, unlike St. John's wort, which has exactly five petals

designations

The ragwort is popularly also among the names

  • Ragwort
  • spiderweed
  • toadweed
  • weed

known. The plant is called groundsel because of the white seed heads, which serve to spread the seeds, similar to dandelion. They show up already during the flowering period. The Latin name of the plant Senecio also means old man.

identifying characteristics

Ragwort immediately catches the eye with its bright yellow flower heads on fallow land. In meadows and pastures, on the other hand, the poisonous plant is often only recognized at second glance, as many plants that bloom in June also have yellow flowers.

size

Depending on the location, the plant reaches a size between 30 and 100 centimeters. Under favorable conditions, it can even grow up to 120 centimeters. In the first year, only the basal rosette with leaves about 20 centimeters long appears. Their appearance is similar to that of kale. Only from the second year does the ragwort grow into small bushes.

stems and leaves

The ragwort forms an angular, twisted and strong stalk, which often shimmers reddish-brown or violet and is partially hairy like a cobweb.

The pinnate (name for a leaf that consists of several leaves) leaves are strongly dissected and arranged alternately. They are relatively fibrous and often covered with a cobweb-like fluff on the underside. The side tips stand out at right angles. When the plant is in full bloom, the basal leaves are already withered.

Ragwort that is not in bloom can be identified relatively clearly by the smell of the crushed leaves. They have a very unpleasant, almost nauseating smell.

blossoms

The bright yellow, 15 to 20 millimeter large flower heads of the daisy family are in upright umbels. They are similar to daisy flowers in their structure. There are 13 ray florets around the inner, disc-shaped wreath. However, as with all daisy family, the number of these can vary.

The bud cover consists of 13 black-tipped bracts and two tight-fitting outer bracts.

heyday

Ragwort flowers from June to August.

root

Ragwort forms a strong and deep-reaching taproot with numerous fine fibrous roots.

Happen

Ragwort thrives at altitudes of around 1000 metres. It prefers rather dry, moderately nutritious, loamy clay soils. It prefers to settle on seldom mowed agricultural land, on road, road and railway embankments and on fallow land.

special feature

In spring, the ragwort is often colonized by the black and yellow caterpillars of the ragwort bear. Specializing in the host plant, the caterpillars are not harmed by the toxins they ingest, but are themselves inedible to other animals. Based on the occurrence of these caterpillars, the plant can be reliably identified.

Ragwort is one of the dangerous poisonous plants

All parts of the plant contain the toxins jacobine and senecionine. Young plants and flowers contain the highest concentration of poison. The toxins also remain effective in hay and silage.

The poison of the ragwort is metabolized in the liver and is not directly toxic. The alkaloids also get into food via the food chain. These have already been detected in eggs, milk, honey and chamomile tea.

Dangerous for humans and animals

Although Ragwort is not included in the list of poisonous plants, it is very dangerous for animals and humans. Horses and cattle are very susceptible and die within a few days from acute poisoning. They refuse food, lose weight rapidly and get bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms of intoxication are obvious lethargy alternating with sudden nervousness. Sheep, pigs and other mammals are not as sensitive to the toxins, but can also die if they are regularly fed contaminated hay.

Control on pastures necessary

Since ragwort is avoided by animals, it can spread rapidly under favorable conditions. It is therefore recommended to combat the plant in pastures immediately and in a targeted manner. It is important to ensure that the ragwort does not flower, because the small seed umbrellas spread for kilometers and remain germinable for years. Ragwort can be controlled both biologically and chemically.

tips

Animals have good instincts and often do not eat poisonous plants. In addition, the fresh ragwort tastes very bitter. However, dry plant parts in the hay are extremely dangerous, since the animals cannot separate out the poisonous plant here. Poisoning can be gradual and inevitably leads to the death of the animal.

Category:

Herbs