Family: Asteraceae

Mostly evergreen perennial shrub growing about 3x3’. Silvery foliage sports yellow flowers spring through fall, very nectar rich. Reseeds well in the landscape.

Larval food plant for the American lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis). Flowers attract a multitude of nectar-seeking insects. The genus is known to have alkaloids that monarchs use to attract mates.

All Senecio species are worth growing in the landscape for attracting pollinators. There are many other Senecio species that are perennial, attractive, and excellent nectar and larval food plants.

This species was known to be toxic but had a variety of medicinal uses; it is a strong laxative and was used internally to treat stomach and kidney trouble; it was used externally as an infusion or salve to treat infected sores and cuts, sore muscles, acne, and skin diseases; the plant was used as a broom, and the herbage was added to bedding as a bug repellent; the plant was also used ceremonially.

Senecio is from the Latin senex, old man, which refers to the gray hairs on the seeds; flaccidus means weak or drooping and may refer to the arching stems. There are 1681 species of Senecio worldwide. Formerly known as Senecio douglasii.

Found on dry plains, slopes, mesas, and along washes, from 2,500-7,500 ft. in California, east to Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas; south into Mexico.

Photo by Don Rideout, iNaturalist