Common Name:
Tansy Ragwort
Scientific Name:
Senecio jacobaea L.
Family:
Asteraceae


Photo courtesy of the
British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries

Description: Tansy ragwort is a biennial plant or short-lived perennial with a deep taproot. Stems are 1 to 6 feet tall. Leaves grow up the stem and are 2 or 3 times pinnately lobed. The flower head has yellow disk and ray flowers up to 0.5 inch long. Tansy ragwort was introduced from Europe. It produces alkaloid compounds that can cause liver damage in cattle and horses.

Control: Perennial plants require depletion of nutrient reserves in the root system, prevention of seed production and prevention of dispersal.