Dune Ragwort
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(Senecio blochmaniae)
Dune Ragwort (Senecio blochmaniae)
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Jim Morefield
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Jim Morefield
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Jim Morefield | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Jim Morefield | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2013-10-12T14:40:08-07:00 |
Summary
Senecio blochmaniae, commonly known as Dune Ragwort, is a perennial subshrub endemic to the coastal dunes and sandy floodplains of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties in Central California. It is adapted to a unique habitat characterized by shifting sands, salt spray, and periodic drought. Dune Ragwort can reach over a meter in height with arching stems emerging from a thick taproot. The linear leaves are typically gray-green, providing a striking contrast to the bright yellow composite flowers, which consist of both disc and ray florets and bloom in the late spring to summer. The flowers are modestly showy and attract a variety of pollinators.
Dune Ragwort is valued for its ability to stabilize sandy soils with its deep taproot system, making it useful in coastal restoration projects. It is not commonly found in cultivation due to its specialized habitat requirements, but it can be used in native plant gardens within its range. For successful growth, it requires well-drained sandy soils and full sun exposure. While not widely available, it can be propagated from seed or cuttings. Potential problems include root rot if overwatered and habitat loss due to coastal development.CC BY-SA 4.0
Dune Ragwort is valued for its ability to stabilize sandy soils with its deep taproot system, making it useful in coastal restoration projects. It is not commonly found in cultivation due to its specialized habitat requirements, but it can be used in native plant gardens within its range. For successful growth, it requires well-drained sandy soils and full sun exposure. While not widely available, it can be propagated from seed or cuttings. Potential problems include root rot if overwatered and habitat loss due to coastal development.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Herb
- Height: 0.8-1.5 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant
Natural Habitat
Coastal dunes and sandy floodplains of Central California
Other Names
Common Names: Blochman’s groundsel, Blochman’s ragwort
Scientific Names: Senecio blochmaniae
GBIF Accepted Name: Senecio blochmaniae