Liver damage Rapidly prevent the flowering of ragwort

The poisonous ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is above all a problem on meadows and pastures. According to the Chamber of Agriculture of North Rhine-Westphalia, the poisonous plant spreads in the hobby gardens. Therefore, sufferers are encouraged to rip out and dispose of the herb so that the ragwort does not start to bloom.

Health hazard for humans and animals
Propagation is a serious hazard. Stag-ragweed is a poisonous plant and should not be fed. Its toxicity is due to the action of various pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which lead to chronic liver poisoning. The danger should not be underestimated, since the effects of poisoning are cumulative. The toxins accumulate slowly in the liver and then lead to the chronic disease processes, in particular horses, but also cattle, apparently more sensitive than sheep and goats. The plant is not only toxic in its fresh state, the alkaloids are not degraded even after hay and silage preparation. Since St. John's Day ragweed looks very similar to St. John's wort, some people have been seriously and sometimes fatally poisoned in the past. The toxins can cause liver damage and provoke even liver cancer.

Jacob's ragwort not to be confused with rocket, arugula. Picture: emer -fotlia

Now is the heyday
The plant flowers between June and November. They develop up to 2000 basket flowers. This results in over 100,000 airworthy seeds. "These remain germinable in soil for up to 25 years," warn the experts. There are some things to consider when disposing of it. Jacob's rag develops deep taproots. This is the origin of numerous fibrous roots.

Do not throw away easily
If a few cuts remain when they are torn out of the ground, plants can form again. The ragwort reaches 20 to 130 centimeters. The flowers are yellow. The stems are green and red below. They are hairy and have grooves. (Sb)