Senecio californicus is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name California ragwort.[1] [2] [3]
This annual herb is native to Central and Southern California and Baja California. It grows in Coastal strand, Coastal sage scrub, and Chaparral habitats, often in sandy areas.[2]
It is often seen at the coast on sand dunes. It is also often found in the Peninsular Ranges, and is seen into the central/eastern Transverse Ranges.[2]
Senecio californicus grows to 10cm-40cmcm (00inches-20inchescm) tall or sometimes taller, from a taproot. The stems can be solitary or grow in branching clusters.[1]
The leaves have linear or lance-shaped blades up to 7 centimeters long. They are sometimes fleshy, especially in plants that occur on the coastline.[1]
The inflorescence produces one to ten or more flower heads, which are lined with usually about 21 black-tipped phyllaries. They contain many yellow disc florets and each has usually 13 yellow ray florets about a centimeter long.[1] The bloom period is March through May.[2]