Flowers of the Alps

Alpine Ragwort

Senecio alpinus Alpen-Greiskraut/Kreuzkraut

Photographed near Langenfeld, Ötztal Alps at 1200m by Allan Hartley

Alpine ragwort belongs to the daisy family. It likes rocky ground, stream-sides and wood margins at altitudes of up to 2,000m (and even up to 2,300m near the summit of the Kanzelwand in the Algäu Alps). It flowers July to September with single yellow flowers on a long stem and is pollinated by flies and moths. The alkaloids it contains can be poisonous to cattle and horses, which avoid eating it because of its bitter taste. Traditionally it has been used medicinally, but there are serious safety concerns.

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