Senecio
Senecio
Senecio (/sɪˈniːʃi.oʊ/; from Latin senex meaning "old man") is a genus of the daisy family (Asteraceae) that includes ragworts and groundsels. The scientific Latin genus name, Senecio, means "old man."
Etymology
The name Senecio is derived from the Latin word senex, meaning "old man". This refers to the fluffy white seed-heads that resemble an old man's hair.
Description
The genus Senecio is one of the largest genera of flowering plants, and its members are found throughout the world. They can be annual or perennial herbs, shrubs, trees, or climbers. Their leaves can be opposite, alternate, or whorled, and they may be simple or pinnately compound. The flower heads are usually yellow, but can be red, purple, blue, or white.
Species
There are about 1,250 species of Senecio. Some of the most well-known species include Senecio vulgaris (Common Groundsel), Senecio jacobaea (Ragwort), and Senecio rowleyanus (String of Pearls).
Medical Uses
Some species of Senecio are used in traditional medicine. For example, Senecio vulgaris is used in folk medicine for its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, many species of Senecio are toxic and can cause liver damage if ingested.
Related Terms
- Asteraceae: The daisy family, to which Senecio belongs.
- Ragwort: A common name for several species of Senecio.
- Groundsel: Another common name for several species of Senecio.
- String of Pearls: A popular houseplant species of Senecio.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Senecio
- Wikipedia's article - Senecio
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski