EPPO Global Database

• EPPO Code: SENSQ
• Preferred name: Senecio squalidus
• Authority: Linnaeus

Sicily (endemic to Mount Etna). The species was collected and planted in the Oxford Botanic Garden in Britain, and named by Linnaeus  with material from Oxford. It was subsequently considered synonymous with S. rupestris (q.v.) from Central Europe. Recent work has confirmed that the two can be separated as subspecies, squalidus and rupestris, the former from a very specific location and the latter widespread. Other subspecies and varieties have also been distinguished.  

The "Oxford ragwort" was considered to be an early example of an "invasive plant", since specimens were in due course found all over the country. However, most of these later proved to be subsp. rupestris, arising presumably from other introductions.