GOLDEN RAGWORT, Senecio
aureus L. 1, plant in flower; 2, ray flower; 3,
disk flower; 4, section of flower head; 5, seed. Perennial,
reproducing by seed and short rhizomes. Stems erect, usually 1 to
2 feet (30 to 60 cm) tall, smooth, branched near top. Leaves on
lower part of stem with long petioles and ovate blades rounded at the tip
and with round-toothed margins. Leaves on upper part of stem with deeply
cleft margins, the segments often toothed, alternate, without petioles.
Flower heads on slender branches, 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5
cm) in diameter. Ray flowers numerous, deep yellow, surrounding a mass
of yellow disk flowers. Seeds elongated, smooth, with a tuft of
barbed white hairs at the tip. Found in swamps and wet meadows.