About Senecio elegans L.
Senecio elegans L. is an annual herb that produces a single, erect, branching stem that reaches a maximum height of around 60 centimeters. Its leaf blades grow up to approximately 8 centimeters long, and are deeply cut or divided into multiple toothed lobes. The above-ground plant parts are somewhat hairy and glandular, with a sticky texture when touched. The inflorescence holds flower heads lined with phyllaries that have black tips. Each flower head contains many yellowish disc florets at its center. Most flower heads have 13 ray florets, each 1 to 1.5 centimeters long, which can be any shade of red-purple. This species is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, and is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its colorful flowers. It is known to escape cultivation and become naturalized in regions with suitable climate, growing wild in parts of New Zealand, Australia, the Azores, and the Central Coast of California. It prefers Mediterranean climate conditions, and is often found growing on the coast.
