Groundsel

Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), a common annual weed throughout Europe, whence it has been introduced into all temperate climates. It belongs to the sub-order Tubulifloreee of the order Compositre (q.v.), and differs from closely allied forms such as the Cineraria (q.v.) in very seldom having any ray-florets. Its branched succulent stem grows a foot high, its leaves are irregularly pinnatifid, and its heads of yellow florets are small. It is gathered as food for cage-birds. A fungus which attacks it, Coleosporium senecionis, proves to be only a stage in the life-history of Peridermium pini, the pine-blister, a serious disease of the leaves and bark of pine trees.