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Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

Common Groundsel Published 5/06 In this Guideline:
Identification and life cycle Impact Management About Pest Notes Publication Glossary

Common groundsel, Senecio vulgaris.

Seeds of common groundsel.

Seedling of common groundsel.

Flower head of common groundsel.

Mature seed head and flower heads of common groundsel.

Common groundsel or old-man-of-the-spring (Senecio vulgaris) is found nearly everywhere in California. It is most prolific during the cooler times of the year, but can be found year-round near the coast or in shady areas. Although common groundsel grows best in moist fertile soil, it can grow in more trying environments such as along roadsides and other disturbed sites. It is also one of the major weeds in nurseries. It is a competitive plant in landscaped areas and gardens, but it is generally not a problem in lawns. In addition to the general weediness of this plant, it also can cause chronic liver poisoning to horses, cattle, and swine, even if only a small amount is eaten over a few weeks' time.

The success of common groundsel as a weed lies in its seeds. It starts developing seeds very early in its life cycle and can produce 25,000 or more seeds per plant under optimal conditions, although about 1,700 seeds per plant are more likely. These seeds are easily spread by wind. Additionally, there can be three or more generations per year. Even when the plant is pulled from the ground or cut down, seeds from open flowers can still mature and germinate. This weed was also one of the first to have populations develop resistance to some common agricultural herbicides.

IDENTIFICATION AND LIFE CYCLE

Common groundsel is in the Asteraceae family, which also includes sunflower, dandelion, and thistles. It is classified as a winter annual since the seeds germinate in late fall through early spring. The plant matures throughout spring and early summer and usually dies in the summer heat.

The first true leaves of seedlings have shallow teeth, may be purple on the underside, and are attached to the stem with a short petiole. Later developing leaves are more deeply lobed and are attached directly to the stem. Leaves alternate on the stem and are mostly hairless. In full sun, groundsel grows up to 2 feet tall with a shallow taproot and a secondary fibrous root system and is often branched. Under shaded conditions the mature plant will have a scraggly appearance with fewer and smaller leaves.

Flowers generally form about 6 weeks from sprouting. Flower clusters are surrounded by green bracts with black tips. This characteristic black tip distinguishes common groundsel from other plants in the Asteraceae family. Flowers are bright yellow, and when the seeds mature, the bracts fully open to reveal a ball of white-tufted seeds. These seeds are easily dislodged and carried by wind. Under good growth conditions the plant can produce numerous flowers. When growing in shade or other stressful conditions the plant may only produce a few flower heads.

IMPACT

Because common groundsel produces so many seeds and the seeds are easily spread, it can rapidly produce an unsightly infestation in landscape beds. In flower and vegetable gardens, early-emerging common groundsel plants can out-compete later-emerging crop seedlings and reduce their growth. Common groundsel plants that emerge after the crop is established are not effective competitors and have less of an impact.

The most harmful consequence of the weed is liver poisoning of livestock. It is important to control common groundsel in and around areas where livestock may graze.

MANAGEMENT

Common groundsel is best controlled by eliminating the plant before it flowers. Since seeds can still mature even if the plant itself is killed, it is imperative to remove the plant from the area if there is any evidence of flowering. Seeds of common groundsel are not long-lived, usually remaining viable for about one year. Therefore, controlling this weed before flowering will have a great impact on the size of the next year's population.

Shallow tilling or hoeing of young plants effectively controls common groundsel. Start monitoring for seedlings in early fall and remove seedlings and plants as soon as possible. Monitoring should continue through early summer. Even if all the weeds in your garden are controlled, common groundsel may still infest the area from seeds that are blown in from nearby sites.

Cultural and Mechanical Control

In most situations, common groundsel is easily controlled by hand removal or cutting the plant off at its taproot by hoeing. Monitoring the area on a regular basis and removing the weed throughout the growing season will greatly reduce the impact of the weed the next year. In larger areas, rototilling of young plants is effective. Mowing can be effective if the blade is set as close to the ground as possible.

Mulches are very effective for controlling common groundsel. Seedlings cannot push through a 3-inch-deep layer of mulch. Blown-in seeds cannot establish on mulch if the surface is allowed to dry out. The key to control when using mulches is to choose a mulch size that is large enough to allow water to pass through and the mulch surface to dry out. This is best accomplished by using coarse mulch, usually sold as medium size. Fine mulch such as sawdust and potting compost will absorb water and actually become a suitable site for the common groundsel seeds to establish. Using mulch that has large pieces is also not recommended because these types will have too much space between the pieces. Seeds can drop to the soil underneath and grow up between the spaces. Synthetic mulches, such as landscape fabrics, provide a physical barrier to seedling development. However, these are only effective for controlling seeds that are already in the soil. They will not be effective in controlling seeds that have blown in during the current growing season.

Biological Control

The most promising method of biological control is the use of the rust fungus Puccinia lagenophorae. This fungus provided about 30% control in greenhouse tests. Research is being conducted to find ways to improve its efficacy. There are no insects that are effective for controlling common groundsel.

Chemical Control

Common groundsel in the home garden and landscape is best controlled using cultural and mechanical methods. If these methods cannot be used, herbicides containing diquat or glyphosate will control growing plants in home landscape beds. Only glyphosate can be used around edible crops and it will severely injure or kill any plant it touches. The sprayer tip should be shielded so that the spray does not contact any desirable plants, as either of these herbicides will injure many ornamental plants. There are no preemergent (before the plant emerges from the soil) chemical controls available for home use that are effective for controlling common groundsel.

WARNING ON THE USE OF PESTICIDES

REFERENCES

Fischer, B. 1998. Grower's Weed Identification Handbook. Oakland: Univ. Calif. Div. Agri. Nat. Res. Publ. 4030.

Parchoma, G., ed. 2002. A Guide to Weeds in British Columbia. British Columbia: British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.

University of California Statewide IPM Program. Integrated Pest Management Weed Photo Gallery, an online photographic reference to many weeds commonly found in California. Accessed May 23, 2006.

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Pest Notes: Common Groundsel
UC ANR Publication 74130        

Author: C. A. Wilen, UC Statewide IPM Program, San Diego County
Produced by IPM Education and Publications, University of California Statewide IPM Program

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