| Senecio
is a large, common and widespread genus in Tasmania, with 27
native herbs or slightly woody plants and four introduced
species (including ragwort, S. jacobaea, and
groundsel, S. vulgaris). The native species include
several fireweeds (species that regenerate vigorously after
fire), but also alpine rosette plants and coastal plants.
The flower heads are usually bright yellow, although s.
elegans has purple flowers and S. albogilvus
has cream flowers. Some species have only disc flowers (e.g.
S. vulgaris) or seem to (e.g. S. quadridentatus),
but many have both ray and disc flowers.
Senecio macrocarpus is considered extinct. It
resembled S. squarrosus, but has larger heads. S.
georgianus and S. tasmanicus are also
considered to be extinct.
Five species of Senecio have been included in the
genus Scapisenecio and one in the genus Lordhowea.
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University of Tasmania
