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GRANT FINDER
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COMMON RAGWORT
What is Common Ragwort?
Common Ragwort is a native UK wildflower growing up to a maximum
height of about a metre with flat clusters of bright yellow
daisy-like flowers generally in late June, July and August. The
flowers are followed by dandelion-like seed heads and the seeds can
be dispersed by the wind over a wide area.
All parts of the plant are poisonous and could be a hazard to
grazing livestock. Stock do not generally eat the plant in its green
state but consume it when dried in feed. The liver damage is
cumulative and may lead to the death of the animal. It is
particularly a problem for cattle, horses, ponies and donkeys but
even so a large amount would have to be consumed to cause damage.
Ragwort is specified as an injurious weed in the Weeds Act 1959 but
there is no requirement on a landowner to remove it.
How to identify Common Ragwort
Easily identified by its tall strong stem with daisy-like type
yellow flowers in a large flat head.
How to eradicate
Common Ragwort
NOTE - Ragwort should only
be removed with the permission of the landowner and only if it poses
a hazard to grazing stock or areas where hay will be cut for feed,
otherwise it may be illegal to remove it as it is covered
under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act as a native UK
wildflower and is important to many insects survival.
The normal method is to pull the plants up when they are flowering
but prior to seeding and composting/burning. Loosening with a garden
fork (or a special ragwort fork) helps. Contrary to popular myth,
Ragwort is not poisonous to humans handling it but due to its tough
stems it is advisable to wear gloves when pulling it.
DEFRA have produced a
Code of Practice -
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