| Senecio ruwenzoriensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Senecio |
| Species: | S. ruwenzoriensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Senecio ruwenzoriensis S.Moore | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Senecio ruwenzoriensis is an African species of plant. While it is widely distributed, it seems to be highly localised in this range.
This perennial herb grows up to 75 cm (2.46 ft) tall. [2] The leaves are hairless and somewhat fleshy. They have sparse teeth and are elongated ovals with rounded tips. [2] [3] They have three veins from the base of the leaf. The margins have hardened teeth. The roots are tuberous. [2] [3]
The flowers (both the ray and the disc florets) are bright yellow in colour. The round flower heads have 8-10 rays and 10-12 leathery bracts. They are borne in loose, flat inflorescences and held on long stems. The flower stems are leafy at the base. The dry, single seeded fruits are cylindrical and ribbed. [2] In South Africa, they are present between December and May. [3]
This species has a large distribution but seems to be highly localised within its range. [2] It ranges from Swellendam in South Africa to tropical Africa. [3] It is found in South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan. It is found growing in grasslands and shrublands, especially around rocky outcrops. It is also found growing on grassy slopes. [2] The plants growing in South Africa were originally considered to be a different species from those growing in Kenya (with those growing in South Africa being referred to as Senecio othonniformis. They were, however, found to contain the same alkaloids The South African populations were then included in Senecio ruwenzoriensis. [4]
It was suspected that this species was poisoning that cattle that were eating it in the Nanyuki district of Kenya. Two potential alkaloids (ruwenine and ruzorine) were extracted and compared to retrosine (another Senecio alkaloid) in rats. While both of the alkaloids found in Senecio ruwenzoriensis were found to cause liver damage, ruwenine was the more potent of the two. It was more harmful to the rats than retrosine, while ruzorine was less harmful than retrosine. [4]
The Barberton groundsel or succulent bush senecio is an evergreen succulent shrub of the family Asteraceae and genus Senecio, native to Southern Africa, named after one of its native localities Barberton and is now also being cultivated elsewhere for its drought resistance, clusters of sweetly scented, golden-yellow, tufted flower heads in winter and attractiveness to butterflies, the painted lady butterfly in particular.
Senecio angulatus, also known as creeping groundsel and Cape ivy, is a succulent flowering plant in the family Asteraceae that is native to South Africa. Cape ivy is a scrambling herb that can become an aggressive weed once established, making it an invasive species. It has been naturalised in the Mediterranean Basin, where it is grown as an ornamental plant for its satiny foliage and sweet-scented flowers.
Protea scolymocephala, also known as the thistle protea or thistle sugarbush, is a flowering plant from the genus Protea native to South Africa.
Moraea aristata is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is referred to by the common names blue-eyed uintjie or Blouooguintjie in Afrikaans.It is endemic to the city of Cape Town and is considered to be critically endangered.
Baeometra is a genus in the family Colchicaceae containing a single species, Baeometra uniflora. It is native to South Africa, where it is commonly called beetle lily due to the dark markings on the tepals.
Ixia monadelpha, also known as the pied kalossie or bontkalossie, is an endangered species of geophyte found in wet sandy flats in the southwestern Cape of South Africa.
Cyphia bulbosa, also known by its common name Bulb Baroe, is a species of flowering plant from the genus Cyphia.
Euryops ursinoides is a highly endemic and vulnerable species from South Africa. It is in the daisy family.
Senecio malacitanus, also known as Senecio linifolius is a species of plant from South Africa.
Ursinia nudicaulis, also known as the longstalk paraseed or the little daisy is a species of plant from South Africa. It belongs to the daisy family.
Felicia deserti is a species of plant from South Africa. It belongs to the daisy family.
Senecio abruptus, or the yellow starvation ragwort, is a species of plant that is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa.
Athanasia quinquedentata, or the fivetooth kanniedood, is a species of plant from South Africa.
Acrodon parvifolius, the Botriver tiptoothfig, is a species of mesemb from South Africa. This species, which grows close to the ground, can best be recognised by its small, thin leaves and its flowers, which form a dome in the middle.
Acrodon subulatus, the Overberg tiptoothfig, is a species of mesemb from South Africa.
Cheiridopsis ponderosa is a species of succulent plant from South Africa.
Helichrysum retortum, the flask everlasting or sea strawflower, is a species of plant from South Africa.
Senecio verbascifolius, the mullein ragwort, is a species of plant from South Africa.
Senecio sophioides is a species of plant from South Africa.
Nemesia linearis, also known as the witleeubekkie in Afrikaans, is a species of plant from southern Africa. It is found in South Africa and Namibia.