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Smith, R.W.

Packera paupercula

Packera paupercula (Michx.) Á. Löve & D. Löve

Balsam Groundsel, Northern Ragwort

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Senecio balsamitae, Senecio crawfordii, Senecio gaspensis, Senecio gaspensis var. firmifolius, Senecio pauperculus, Senecio pauperculus var. balsamitae, Senecio pauperculus var. crawfordii, Senecio pauperculus var. firmifolius, Senecio pauperculus var. neoscoticus, Senecio pauperculus var. praelongus, Senecio pauperculus var. thompsoniensis, Senecio tweedyi

USDA Symbol: PAPA20

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

A perennial with stalked and toothed, basal leaves subtending a 1-2 ft. flowering stem. A spreading clusters of flower heads occurs at the apex of the stem. Flowers are aster-like with yellowish rays and centers.

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , AL , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , PA , RI , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , NU , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: N.S. to Alt., s. to MD, NC mts., SD & ID
Native Habitat: Basic or calcareous ledges or gravels

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Neutral or basic gravels.

Benefit

Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Leaves, but only low toxicity if touched or ingested. Symptoms include liver toxicity, skin irritation following contact. Toxic Principle: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Fragrant Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Lightly scented blooms. (Ontario Native Plants 2002)
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW	FAC	FACW		FAC	FAC		FAC	FAC	FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Packera paupercula in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Packera paupercula in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Packera paupercula

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-12-30
Research By: TWC Staff

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