Jacobaea aquatica: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:34, 15 February 2025

Jacobaea aquatica[edit]

Jacobaea aquatica, commonly known as marsh ragwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to Europe and is typically found in wetland areas such as marshes, fens, and damp meadows.

Description[edit]

Jacobaea aquatica is a perennial herbaceous plant that can grow up to 1 meter in height. The stems are erect, hollow, and often tinged with purple. The leaves are pinnately lobed, with the lower leaves being larger and more deeply divided than the upper ones.

The plant produces bright yellow flower heads, which are composed of both ray florets and disc florets. The flowering period is from June to September. The fruit is a cypsela, which is a type of achene typical of the Asteraceae family.

Habitat and Distribution[edit]

Jacobaea aquatica is commonly found in wetland habitats across Europe. It thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soils and is often seen in marshes, along riverbanks, and in damp grasslands. The plant is well adapted to waterlogged conditions and can tolerate periodic flooding.

Ecology[edit]

Jacobaea aquatica plays a role in wetland ecosystems by providing habitat and food for various insect species. The flowers attract a range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. The plant is also a host for certain caterpillar species.

Toxicity[edit]

Like many members of the genus Jacobaea, Jacobaea aquatica contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to livestock and humans if ingested in large quantities. These compounds can cause liver damage and other health issues. Therefore, it is important to manage the presence of this plant in grazing areas.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Jacobaea aquatica''' (formerly known as ''Senecio aquaticus''), commonly referred to as the [[water ragwort]] or [[marsh ragwort]], is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the [[Asteraceae]] family. This species is native to various parts of Europe and is typically found in wet habitats such as riverbanks, ditches, and wet meadows. ''Jacobaea aquatica'' plays a role in the ecosystem by providing habitat and food for various insects, but it is also known for its toxic properties, which can affect livestock and humans.
+== Jacobaea aquatica ==
-==Description==
+[[File:Jacobaea_aquatica.jpg|thumb|right|Jacobaea aquatica in bloom]]
-''Jacobaea aquatica'' is characterized by its tall, erect stem that can reach heights of up to 1 meter. The leaves are pinnately lobed, with the lower leaves being larger and the upper leaves reducing in size up the stem. The plant produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers from June to August. The flowers are arranged in dense clusters at the top of the stems. Each flower head contains both ray florets and disc florets, which are typical of the Asteraceae family.
-==Habitat and Distribution==
+'''Jacobaea aquatica''', commonly known as '''marsh ragwort''', is a species of flowering plant in the family [[Asteraceae]]. It is native to Europe and is typically found in wetland areas such as marshes, fens, and damp meadows.
-''Jacobaea aquatica'' is predominantly found in temperate regions of Europe. Its preferred habitats are wet, marshy areas such as the edges of ponds, lakes, and rivers, as well as in wet meadows and ditches. The plant's presence in these ecosystems indicates a high water table and, often, nutrient-rich soils.
-==Toxicity==
+== Description ==
-One of the significant aspects of ''Jacobaea aquatica'' is its toxicity. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic compounds that can cause liver damage in both humans and animals if ingested. Livestock, particularly cattle and horses, are at risk of poisoning if they consume contaminated fodder or graze in areas where the plant is abundant. Symptoms of poisoning include weight loss, liver failure, and in severe cases, death.
-==Conservation==
+Jacobaea aquatica is a perennial herbaceous plant that can grow up to 1 meter in height. The stems are erect, hollow, and often tinged with purple. The leaves are pinnately lobed, with the lower leaves being larger and more deeply divided than the upper ones.
-While ''Jacobaea aquatica'' is not currently listed as endangered, its habitat is under threat from agricultural expansion, drainage of wetlands, and urbanization. Conservation efforts are necessary to preserve the wetland habitats that support this species and the biodiversity of these ecosystems.
-==Management==
+The plant produces bright yellow [[flower]] heads, which are composed of both [[ray florets]] and [[disc florets]]. The flowering period is from June to September. The fruit is a [[cypsela]], which is a type of [[achene]] typical of the [[Asteraceae]] family.
-Managing the spread of ''Jacobaea aquatica'' is crucial in areas where it poses a risk to livestock health. This can involve physical removal, the use of herbicides, or the implementation of grazing management practices to prevent the ingestion of the plant by livestock. However, any management strategy should consider the ecological importance of the plant and aim to minimize disruption to the ecosystem.
+== Habitat and Distribution ==
+Jacobaea aquatica is commonly found in wetland habitats across Europe. It thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soils and is often seen in marshes, along riverbanks, and in damp grasslands. The plant is well adapted to waterlogged conditions and can tolerate periodic flooding.
+== Ecology ==
+Jacobaea aquatica plays a role in wetland ecosystems by providing habitat and food for various [[insect]] species. The flowers attract a range of pollinators, including [[bees]], [[butterflies]], and [[hoverflies]]. The plant is also a host for certain [[caterpillar]] species.
+== Toxicity ==
+Like many members of the genus [[Jacobaea]], Jacobaea aquatica contains [[pyrrolizidine alkaloids]], which are toxic to [[livestock]] and [[humans]] if ingested in large quantities. These compounds can cause [[liver damage]] and other health issues. Therefore, it is important to manage the presence of this plant in grazing areas.
+== Related pages ==
+* [[Asteraceae]]
+* [[Wetland]]
+* [[Pollination]]
+* [[Pyrrolizidine alkaloid]]
+[[Category:Asteraceae]]
 [[Category:Flora of Europe]]
-[[Category:Asteraceae]]
+[[Category:Wetland plants]]
-[[Category:Toxic plants]]
-{{Template:Taxonbar}}
-{{stb}}