Packera anonyma (Alph. Wood) W.A. Weber & A. Löve

Appalachian Ragwort; Southern Ragwort; Small's Groundsel

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Southern Ragwort is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Southern Ragwort grows in pine woodlands, in open hardwood forests, on rocky slopes, in prairies, in pastures, and on roadsides. It is often abundant and is the most common Packera species in Alabama. Southern Ragwort is a short-lived clump forming perennial with a fibrous root system. Each rootstock produced 1-7 stems that are up to 2 feet in height. The stems are green in color, ribbed, and have sparse patches of cobwebby pubescence. The basal leaves are petiolate, elliptic to oblanceolate in outline, with serrate margins. The basal leaves are glabrous on their surfaces. Stem leaves are alternate, short petiolate or sessile, reduced in size, elliptic to lanceolate in outline, with incised margins or pinnatifid. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are arranged in corymbs. There are 8-13 yellow ray flowers and 40-60 yellow disc flowers. The fruit is an achene with white pappus. Southern Ragwort is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It prefers a sandy, well-draining soil and full or partial sun. Plants are usually short lived, so divide older clumps or start new plants from seed.--A. Diamond

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Native FACU- (NWPL)

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