Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Asteraceae / Compositae ⟩ Jacobaea vulgaris / common ragwort

Jacobaea vulgaris Gaertn.

common ragwort (Asteraceae / Compositae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyNW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Synonym | Senecio jacobaea L.

Jacobaea vulgaris is a ubiquitous plant of grasslands and scrub; it is a ‘noxious weed’ under the 1959 Weeds Act in the U.K. (like Rumex obtusifolius, Rumex crispus, Cirsium arvense and Cirsium vulgare).

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2013-11-04

 common ragwort / Jacobaea vulgaris: _Jacobaea vulgaris_ is a ubiquitous plant of grasslands and scrub; it is a ‘noxious weed’ under the 1959 Weeds Act in the U.K. (like _Rumex obtusifolius_, _Rumex crispus_, _Cirsium arvense_ and _Cirsium vulgare_).

The leaves of Jacobaea vulgaris are poisonous to livestock, but are usually avoided in the fresh state and are only dangerous in cut hay.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2013-11-04

 common ragwort / Jacobaea vulgaris: The leaves of _Jacobaea vulgaris_ are poisonous to livestock, but are usually avoided in the fresh state and are only dangerous in cut hay.

The stem-leaves of Jacobaea vulgaris have several side-lobes and a similarly-sized end-lobe; the similar Jacobaea aquatica has fewer side-lobes and a larger end-lobe.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2013-11-04

 common ragwort / Jacobaea vulgaris: The stem-leaves of _Jacobaea vulgaris_ have several side-lobes and a similarly-sized end-lobe; the similar _Jacobaea aquatica_ has fewer side-lobes and a larger end-lobe.

The inflorescences of Jacobaea vulgaris are more numerous than those of Jacobaea aquatica, and have shorter outer phyllaries than Jacobaea erucifolia.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2013-11-04

 common ragwort / Jacobaea vulgaris: The inflorescences of _Jacobaea vulgaris_ are more numerous than those of _Jacobaea aquatica_, and have shorter outer phyllaries than _Jacobaea erucifolia_.

The capitula of Jacobaea vulgaris swell with the growing seeds before opening to reveal the hairy pappus.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2017-08-29

 common ragwort / Jacobaea vulgaris: The capitula of _Jacobaea vulgaris_ swell with the growing seeds before opening to reveal the hairy pappus.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne