Flower Properties

Property	Value
English Name	Ragwort
MainColor	Yellow
PlantType	Herb
Growth Type	Native
Season	June
ImageUrl	Jacobaea-001
Photographer	DP
Location
Human Toxicity	Highly_Toxic

Flower Details

Description

A tall, upright biennial with clusters of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers. Often considered a noxious weed, especially in grazing areas, due to its high toxicity. It is valuable for pollinators but problematic for livestock owners.

Distribution

Native and widespread throughout the UK, thriving in pastures, road verges, and wasteland.

Medicinal/Other Uses

Historically used in folk remedies, but no safe modern medicinal uses due to its toxicity.

Edibility

Not edible – extremely poisonous to humans and animals.

Human Toxicity

Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which cause cumulative liver damage. Even dried ragwort in hay remains toxic and can be fatal to horses, cattle, and other animals.

Pet Toxicity

ingestion can lead to serious liver damage in dogs, cats, and especially grazing animals.

Active Compounds

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (senecionine, jacobine).