About Senecio hydrophilus Nutt.
Senecio hydrophilus Nutt. is a species of flowering plant in the aster family, commonly known as water ragwort and alkali-marsh ragwort. It is native to western North America, ranging from British Columbia to California to Colorado, where it grows in swampy habitats such as marshes. It can grow in standing water, including alkaline and salty water. This species is a biennial or perennial herb that produces either a single upright stem or a small cluster of stems, which can reach over one meter in maximum height, and sometimes approach two meters. The stem is hollow, waxy in texture, often pale green, and emerges from a small caudex. Its thick leaves range from lance-shaped to oval, with smooth or toothed edges; leaf blades can grow up to 20 centimeters long and are borne on petioles. Smaller leaves grow higher up on the stem. The inflorescence consists of one or more large, spreading clusters that hold many flower heads. The flower heads contain many yellowish disc florets at their center, and sometimes also have small yellow ray florets.
