Senecio flaccidus – “Threadleaf Groundsel”

Also Known As: Threadleaf Ragwort, Sand Wash Groundsel, Smooth Threadleaf Ragwort, Bush Senecio, Creek Senecio, California Butterweed, Shrubby Butterweed, Comb Butterweed, Mono Ragwort, Douglas Ragwort, Douglas Groundsel, Felty Groundsel, Old Man, Yerba Caña, Cenicillo
Other Botanical Names: Senecio douglasii
Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
Bloom Period: June-Oct
Form: Subshrub
Habitat: Sandy soils
Leaves: Linear (it’s called “threadleaf”); alternate
Translation: “Senecio” is Latin for “old man” and refers to the white fluff on the seeds; “flaccidus” is Latin for “flaccid”; “douglasii” is named for David Douglas (1798-1834), a Scotch botanist.
Notes: Toxic to cattle so it thrives on grazed land. Yerba Caña is Spanish for “Cane Herb.”
Native American Uses: The Ohlone applied an infusion of the plant topically for infected sores and cuts and gave it to women who suffered from “lockjaw” after childbirth. The Kawaiisu considered it to be very strong medicine and used it as a laxative that could cause death. The Hopi and Navajo used the tops of the plants as brushes to remove the spines from prickly pear cactus fruit. The Navajo also drank a tea of the plant before going into the sweat house “to get a good voice for the Night Chant” (Moerman).
Animal Associations: Nectar plant for butterflies, including the Juniper Hairstreak, Leda Ministreak, Marine Blue and Reakirt’s Blue.