Photographs: Co. Cork

Groundsel Senecio vulgaris Grúnlas Family: Asteraceae Flowering time: January-December. Annual. Native. Yellow flowers, the ray florets absent or rarely v.small with black-tipped bracts. Young flowerheads are stalkless, the stalk lengthening as fruit ripens. Seedheads like small dandelion clocks. Narrow leaves, irregularly pinnate, the lobes toothed. The weak erect stems are often red-tinged. Hairless or slightly woolly plant. Height: 10-35 cm. Abundant throughout Ireland on open disturbed ground. Similar: Heath Groundsel, Senecio sylvaticus.

Groundsel, Senecio vulgaris, Grúnlas