golden ragwort
ExplorePlants
golden ragwort
Packera aurea
Golden ragwort is a bright yellow flower that blooms in spring. It grows in clumps and is often found in meadows and along roadsides, making the world a little brighter!
Habitat: Meadows
Appearance
The golden ragwort has bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with many thin ray petals surrounding a dense central disc. These vibrant blooms sit atop sturdy, reddish-green stems, while its basal leaves are often dark green and heart-shaped. Its distinctive appearance makes it stand out in early spring.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusPackera
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Each flower head is actually a cluster of tiny individual flowers, not just one!
Early Americans used parts for medicine, but it's best not to try it yourself!
Its scientific name, 'aurea,' means golden, just like its dazzling flowers!
This plant is a super-spreader, forming carpets of gold across forest floors!
Special abilities
Ability
Spreading Roots
Golden ragwort can quickly form colonies using underground stems, helping it claim its space in meadows.
Ability
Flexible Growth
This plant thrives in both sun and shade, allowing it to grow in diverse forest and field environments.
Ability
Chemical Shield
Golden ragwort produces special chemicals that make it unpalatable to most grazing animals, protecting its leaves.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Moderate
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
honey bee
Apis mellifera
Provides nectar and pollen for honey bees.
pollinates
common eastern bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
Offers vital early spring nectar to bumblebees.
pollinates
monarch butterfly
Danaus plexippus
Butterflies like the monarch visit for nectar.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is golden ragwort?
30-90 cm
How wide does golden ragwort spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on golden ragwort?
1-2.5 cm
When does golden ragwort bloom?
Spring
Is golden ragwort edible?
No
Is golden ragwort toxic?
Moderate
What is golden ragwort's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is golden ragwort pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
Where to spot
Park91 sightings15 species
Virginia, US
Royal Lake Park
You might spot Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, and Red-Winged Blackbird.
View guide →
Park14 sightings12 species
Pennsylvania, US
Harrison Hills Park
You might spot White-Tailed Deer and Mile-A-Minute Weed.
View guide →
Park84 sightings6 species
Virginia, US
Lemon Road Park
You might spot Broadleaf Enchanter's Nightshade and White Avens.
View guide →
.jpg&width=800)
