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SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
THUMBNAILS
Kingdom Plantae
Sub Kingdom Tracheobionta (vascular plant)
Superdivision Spermatophyta (seed plant)
Division Magnoliophyta (flowering plant)
Class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledon)
Order Asterales
Family Asteraceae
Genus Senecio
Species vulgaris
Classification L.
Common name common groundsel

Geographic Range it is native to northern Africa and to mild areas of Asia and Europe. It is naturalised all over the world.
Physical Characteristics annual or biennial plant; it may grow up to 40 centimeters in height. The green bracts surrounding heads have dark-coloured tips. Leaves are alternate, pinnate-lobate; they may be from 2 to 10 centimeters long with dentate margins. Upper leaves are attached directly to the stem, while lower leaves have a short petiole. The root is a small rhizome with not very visible fibroid secondary roots. Yellow flowers are found on the plant almost all year round. The heads consist of disc flowers, but usually ray flowers are missing. Heads are grouped in clusters along the stems. Seeds are narrow, about 2.5 millimeters long, they are dispersed in the wind by a pappus.
Notes it contains toxic alkaloids both for men and animals.
Habitat cultivated fields, pastures, roadsides.

Sources  
References National Genetic Resources Program - U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service
California Department of Food and Agriculture
University of California - Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program
Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization - Canada
Web References http://www.ars-grin.gov/
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/
http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/
Source of the photo INRA Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - Paris - France

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