Purple-leaf Groundsel - native (Senecio phelleus)

Other names: Slender Groundsel, Senecio tenuiflorus.

Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family).

Native of eastern Australia.

Occurrence: It is a very common bushland plant, and may persist in cleared farmland.

Identification:

• the leaves are narrow and green above
• the undersurfaces of the leaves are often purple
• the flower heads are narrow and in loose terminal clusters
• the petals are yellow, and mostly covered by the green bracts at the base of the flower
• the plant is slender and usually grows to 30-40 cm high
,li>the flowers have 11-15 green bracts (at the base of the flowers).

Similar species: The native Cotton Fireweed is similar in habit and shape. It differs in that the plant has numerous cottony hairs, so that the plant has a grey appearance.

Photos 1: Part of a flower cluster. Maldon. 2: Flowers from above. Barkly.3: The plant is setting fruit. Barkly.
4: Part of a flower cluster. Castlemaine.
5: The groundsel germinated and flowered profusely after a control burn. Spring Gully Road.
6: The purple undersurface is a characteristic feature.