Packera obovata
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Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: round-leaved ragwort
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Native Range: Southeastern United States
Height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 0.5 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: April to June
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Uses: Groundcover, Rain Garden, Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Blooms well in shady locations. Tolerates some soil dryness. Naturalizes into large colonies in optimum growing conditions by both self-seeding and stolons. Remove flowering stems after bloom and/or dispersal of seed. Basal foliage will serve as an attractive ground cover (to 4-6" tall) throughout the growing season as long as consistent moisture is provided.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Roundleaf ragwort, also known as roundleaf groundsel or squaw weed, is valued for its ability to thrive in shady locations, naturalize rapidly and produce a long and profuse spring bloom of bright yellow flowers. It is native to rocky wooded hillsides, open rocky glades, limestone ledges, stream banks and moist meadows from Quebec and Ontario south to Texas and Florida. In Missouri it most often is found in the Ozark region in the southern and central part of the State (Steyermark). Flat-topped clusters (corymbs) of daisy-like flowers (3/4" diameter) with yellow rays and yellow central disks bloom in spring (April-June) atop sparsely-leaved stems rising to 18" tall. Flowering stems rise from a basal clump of serrate, rounded to spatulate leaves (to 2-4" long) each of which tapers at the base into a long petiole. Upper stem leaves are much smaller, sessile and pinnately lobed. Foliage is semi-evergreen in St. Louis. This plant was originally designated as Senecio obovatus.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Vigorous spring wildflower for sunny or shady areas of the landscape. Large naturalized plantings in woodland gardens can be spectacular in bloom. Cut off flowering stems after bloom and enjoy the semi-evergreen basal foliage which forms an attractive ground cover. Also effective in wild gardens, cottage gardens, native plant gardens, borders, or along streams/ponds.

Similar Plants


Packera aurea
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