GROUNDSEL THE GROUND SWALLOWER

Groundsel is a common plant of the Asteraceae family and are placed in the genus Senecio, and are closely related to the ragwort { a subject of a previous hub}. Even if one is unaware of its name many people will have encountered the species. Common groundsel Senecio vulagris tenants a variety of habitat and is common weed of gardens and in particular allotments. The flowering period is almost constant and only prolonged spells of frost will deter them from doing so.

The name groundsel is thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon grondeswelge which translates as ground swallower alluding to their ability to spread rapidly.

The annual root system is formed of whitish fibrous growth which send up erect stems 15-30cm in height which are apt to branch near the top. These are terminated by small clusters of tiny flower heads. The flower heads are composed of tubular florets that are surrounded by over lapping bracts . They have been likened to the shape of miniature shaving brushes. These flowers are succeeded by a white pappus which carry the seeds away from the parent plant in a parachute manner a favoured method of seed disposal for many species of this large family of flowering plants.

The genus name of Senecio, from Latin alluding to "old man" referring to the white pappus {plume}.

The foliage are oblong and clasping at the base of a dull green colour which are deeply cut into{ Botanist term this as being pinnatifid }, with irregular, blunt toothed lobes. It has been said that they have a superficial resemblance to the leaf of an oak tree.

The seeds of groundsel are readily taken by birds, and because the seeds are available during the barren winter months they are a good source of nourishment at this time. Rabbits eat the foliage with relish.

Groundsel has long been used in herbal medicine. It was recommended that the whole plant  was harvested in May when the foliage were thought to be in their prime. it was then dried. A juice was extracted from the fresh plant. the plant is said to be purgative, diuretic and antiscorbutic among other properties associated with it. it times gone by it was employed as a poultice and applied to the stomach.  A weak infusion was said to be beneficial in alleviating bilious afflictions. John Gerard the 16th century herbalist stated that the down {pappus} of the flower being mixed with vinegar was a good dressing to apply to wounds.

I recall from the days of my youth that my grandmother made an infusion of groundsel which she applied to chapped hands. The fresh plant being infused with boiling water. the resulting liquid  formed a pleasant lotion for the skin and was effective at removing roughness.

Groundsel as a species may continue to flower and set seed for many months, but most seeds are set from May-October. It is estimated that groundsel produces 12-13,000 seeds per plant. Studies have revealed that seedlings germinate within a few days of being shed when growing conditions remain favourable. seedling emergence generally occurs from February until December, however, the main peak is between June and October. The seedlings are frost tolerant. 

Groundsel completes its life cycle in about 5-6 weeks. Luckily for gardeners this weed can easily be removed by simply pulling it from the ground, and regular hoeing will restrict its spread. This has to be an ongoing occupation as new seeds regularly parachute in.

Cinnabar moth caterpillars, noted for feeding on ragwort, also feed on the leaves of groundsel.

Several other species of groundsel occur in Britain. These include the welsh groundsel Senecio cambrensis, which is a hybrid between the common goundsel and Oxford ragwort. This species has become established in north Wales and around Edinburgh Scotland. Although established they are quite rare.

Sticky or stinking groundsel Senecio viscosus as the common name suggests is a bushy densely sticky-hairy annual which is found on railway ballast, waste ground, roadsides and coastal shingle beaches. It is wide spread through the country but tends to be local in distribution.

Heath groundsel or wood groundsel  Senecio sylvestris is encountered in woodland and on damp heaths.

Groundsel along with the ragworts make this an interesting genus of the Asteraceae family of flowering plants.

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