MSU Extension Native Plants and Ecosystem Services

Round-leaved ragwort

Packera obovata (Muhl. ex Willd.) W.A. Weber & A. Love formerly Senecio obovatus Willd.

Family: Asteraceae (aster)

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• Bloom Period:
  • Early,
• Growth Cycle:
  • Perennial,
• Growth Habit:
  • Forbs/Herbs,
• Insect Type Attracted:
  • Natural Enemy,
  • Pollinator,
• Light:
  • Full,
  • Partial,
• Region:
  • Northern Lower Peninsula,
  • Southern Lower Peninsula,
  • Upper Peninsula
• Soil Moisture:
  • Medium,
• Height:
  • 1-2ft

Natural enemies attracted

Mildly attractive: Orius insidiosus, Chalcidoidea and Coccinellidae.

Pollinators attracted

None collected using the vacuum sampling method, but low numbers (less than 1 bee per meter square during 5 minute visual observations) of bees were observed.

Pests attracted

Moderately attractive: thrips, aphids and lygus bugs.

Mildly attractive: leafhoppers.

Plant notes

Bright-yellow flower clusters bloomed on this plant from mid May through mid June. This species was one of the least attractive early season plant species to natural enemies.

Habitat

Round-leaved ragwort tolerates full to partial sun; this plant does best with soils in the mid-moisture range, it does not tolerate extremely dry or extremely wet conditions. This species grows naturally in full sun on banks, wooded hillsides and grassy areas that are dry to moist.

Cultivation and management

This plant flowers in its second or third year when grown from seed. It can also be grown from plug material (flowers in first or second year).