Senecio coronatus explained

Senecio coronatus (Thunb.) Harv. aka the woolly grassland senecio is a plant in the family Asteraceae, endemic to and widespread in Southern Africa, occurring in the moister southern and eastern regions. ^[1]

It is perennial with large, leathery, broadly elliptic, erect leaves growing from a large, underground rootstock with a woolly covering. Up to 20 capitula are arranged in a terminal cluster, each with some 10 slender yellow ray florets. ^[2]

Phytochemicals

This species is capable of concentrating the toxic element nickel in its leaves, a strategy which appears to be an effective deterrent against herbivory.^{[3] [4]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: CJB - African plant database - Detail. CJB, DSIC, Cyrille Chatelain -. CJB. www.ville-ge.ch.
2. Web site: Senecio coronatus - Overview - Encyclopedia of Life. Encyclopedia of Life.
3. 10.1007/s00049-002-8331-3 . Nickel defends the South African hyperaccumulator Senecio coronatus (Asteraceae) against Helix aspersa (Mollusca: Pulmonidae) . Chemoecology . 12 . 2 . 91 . 2002 . Boyd . Robert S . Davis . Micheal A . Wall . Michael A . Balkwill . Kevin . 20032054 .
4. 10.1016/j.sajb.2007.08.013 . Elemental patterns in Ni hyperaccumulating and non-hyperaccumulating ultramafic soil populations of Senecio coronatus . South African Journal of Botany . 74 . 158–162 . 2008 . Boyd . R.S . Davis . M.A . Balkwill . K . free .