Seasonal Wild Flowers

Heath Groundsel

Senecio sylvaticus

Wood Groundsel

Asteraceae

July (late June) to September

It is found throughout the country except for parts of the

Midlands and the North.

See the BSBI distribution map for Heath Groundsel

It grows in open, sandy, gravelly places, such as heaths,

cleared and burnt woodland, banks and sea-cliffs.

Heath Groundsel is a native, slightly sticky, annual

herb, growing up to 1m.

There are large number of flowerheads forming a wide

flattish top (corymb).

Each flowerhead is up to 5mm and conical with bright

yellow, short, rolled back, outer rays.

Bracts are glandular, slightly hairy and green with

purple tips.

Leaves are unequally lobed lobed.

Stems are ridged and slightly cottony.

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Heath Groundsel on Heysham

Head, Lancashire

Flowerheads, leaves

Conical flowerheads

Side view - glandular hairs, purple-tipped bracts

Front view - recurved outer rays

Fruiting flowerheads

Groundsel pappus clock

Upper leaves, ridged stem

Irregularly-lobed lower leaf