Plant identification

Question: I am not sure the identity of this plant growing in my yard of lodgepole and ponderosa is.  I don’t see it out in the forest so I am assuming it is invasive.  I have been trying to remove it for the last 4 years and it is spreading.  I would like help in identifying it and how to eradicate it from my property.  Can you help?

responder: Cristi  Replied May 24, 2023, 11:51 AM EDT
response: Hi Laura:  Would love to identify this for you.    Can you send me a picture of the flower head in focus?  Do you have one in flower yet?  That would be very helpful.  What color are the flowers?   When you try to remove the plant, what is the root structure?  Is it a tap root, like a dandelion or more fibrous?  Do the roots have runners going to other plants?  Anything else you think would be helpful...  Thanks,

responder: Cristi  Replied May 30, 2023, 6:41 PM EDT
response: Hi Laura:  Just a note that I would like to work on your plant ID whenever you are able to get back to me.  I realize you may be out of town with the holiday weekend.  I'm here anytime you're ready,

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 30, 2023, 7:33 PM EDT
response: Hello!  Yes, I was not available this weekend and I’m waiting for the first flower head to pop open as well!  I’ll get back it you in a few days, I’m watching them closely.  I don’t want them all to pop open because I don’t see this plant in the forest so I makes me think it’s invasive.  Thanks, Laura Sent from my iPhone On May 30, 2023, at 3:41 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Cristi  Replied May 31, 2023, 6:52 PM EDT
response: Sounds like a good plan.  Thank you,

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 08, 2023, 8:01 PM EDT
response: Hi Christi, Here is the flowering head of the plant in question.  Sent from my iPhone On May 31, 2023, at 3:52 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Cristi  Replied June 09, 2023, 11:47 AM EDT
response: Thanks for the pictures Laura.  This is a type of groundsel, part of the sunflower family (Asteraceae), called Senecio intergerrimus var. exaltatus, common name lambstongue groundsel or tall western groundsel.   There are thousands of different varieties of Senecio's, some considered good, some bad.  I could tell it was groundsel immediately from the flower, but had never seen this leaf pattern before. From what I can tell, it is considered a native plant to eastern Washington and adjacent Idaho, so I imagine it is here also.  I'm attaching a link to a page with many pictures identifying it.  Lambstongue Groundsel  Of course, the saying goes, one persons wildflower is another persons weed, so if you find it too invasive, I'm providing you with a bulletin for management of Common Groundsel, considered a weed.    Common Groundsel Management Guidelines  Thank you for your question,

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 09, 2023, 3:12 PM EDT
response: Thank you Cristi,I’ve been calling it lambstongue ragwort and thought it was part of the tansy family.  Tansy which is common in Western Oregon is toxic to horses and I have horses so I’m pretty cautious of it.  I don’t see it growing in the forest around my area so I’m going to be getting rid of it on my property.  Thank you for your help!  LauraSent from my iPad On Jun 9, 2023, at 8:47 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Cristi  Replied June 10, 2023, 7:06 PM EDT
response: You're welcome!