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| ## Golden Ragwort {#golden-ragwort .Title-Header}                     |
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| *Packera aurea* (L.) A. Love & D. Love                                |
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| Plant Symbol = PAAU3                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center, Beltsville,
MD

Wayne Hughes, used with permission

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

Golden groundsel, Senecio aureus L.

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Landscaping and Wildlife*: Golden Ragwort is a beautiful plant in
flower and makes an effective groundcover even in dry shade conditions.
For these reasons it is often used in native landscape gardens and
meadow plantings. It also has potential as a component of conservation
mixes. It will grow well in moist to wet soils in sunny to shady
locations where it naturalizes rapidly. The nectar and pollen of the
flowers are attractive to small bees and flies such as little carpenter
bees, cuckoo bees, and various Halictid bees. The caterpillars of the
gem moth (*Orthonama obstipata*) feed on the foliage.

*Ethnobotanical:* The root and leaf are used in teas by the Cherokee
Indians for heart trouble, and to prevent pregnancy. Other Native
Americans used it to regulate menses, to aid childbirth, treat urinary
problems and to treat lung diseases such as tuberculosis. It is also
used for external ointments and infusions for ulcers and wounds. The
leaves contain a low toxicity alkaloid (Pyrrolizidine). The foliage is
shunned by most mammalian herbivores due to its toxicity, although sheep
are more tolerant and will eat it.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.1006944444444446in"
height="2.5694444444444446in"}Please consult the PLANTS Web site and
your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant's current
status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and
wetland indicator values).

##### Description and Adaptation {#description-and-adaptation .Header-3}

Golden Ragwort is a member of the Aster family (Asteraceae). It is a
somewhat weedy, short lived, perennial forb growing from 6 inches to 2
feet tall. The two very different kinds of leaves are highly
distinctive. The blades of the basal leaves are 2 inches long and 2
inches across; they are cordate-orbicular in shape. The slender petioles
of the basal leaves are 2 inches long. A flower stalk develops from the
center of each rosette. Along this stalk, there are usually 2 -- 3
alternate leaves. These leaves are smaller in size than the basal leaves
and pinnatifid in shape. Both the alternate leaves and the stalk are
hairless. The stalk ends in a flat-headed panicle of yellow flowers. The
blooming period occurs early spring (March -- April) and lasts about 3
weeks. Each daisy-like flower is 1 inch across; in the center there are
numerous golden yellow disk florets, which are surrounded by 6-16 yellow
ray florets. Both the disk and ray florets are fertile. Each floret is
replaced by a purple bullet shaped achene which is distributed by the
wind. The short rootstock has spreading fibrous roots and it produces
rhizomes (and sometimes stolons).

Golden Ragwort is a carefree plant which prefers full sun to light shade
in wet to moist soils with ample organic matter to retain moisture.
Plants grown in full sun require more moisture than plants growing in
shade. It often forms colonies of plants in favorable habitats.

*Distribution*: This species is very widely distributed in the eastern
North America in USDA hardiness zones 3 - 9. Habitats include wet
deciduous woods, meadows, banks of rivers, streams and lakes, slopes of
rocky ravines, and roadsides.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

This species is easily grown; and can be planted as containers in the
spring or early fall. Divisions of the plant in the spring are another
option for establishment. Golden Ragwort will form dense colonies even
within the root system of mature trees.

The seed does not require a pre-treatment for germination to occur and
the plant freely self-seeds.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Golden Ragwort is a hardy plant with relatively few problems. This
species is easy to grow and maintain with moderate levels of N, P and K.
It will naturalize under optimal conditions. It can become weedy in
moist conditions.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Golden Ragwort is a plant with no serious insect or disease problems.

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

There are no recommended cultivars or selected materials at this time.
Golden Ragwort is somewhat available from commercial nurseries
specializing in native plants.

##### Prepared By and Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-and-species-coordinator .Header-3}

*Shawn Belt,* USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center, Beltsville,
Maryland

##### Edited: 080915jsp {#edited-080915jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Conservation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*