Woolly ragwort

Senecio tomentosus Michaux, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 119. 1803; Cineraria integrifolia Jacquin ex Willdenow var. minor Pursh; S. alabamensis Britton ex Small

Perennials, 30–60+ cm; taprooted (caudices relatively thick, weakly ascending or erect), sometimes stoloniferous. Stems 1, densely lanate-tomentose proximally, floccose-tomentose to glabrescent distally. Basal leaves (and proximal cauline) petiolate; blades lanceolate to narrowly ovate or elliptic, 40–120+ × 20–50+ mm, bases tapering, sometimes oblique, margins subentire, crenate, or serrate-dentate. Cauline leaves gradually reduced (± petiolate or sessile, weakly clasping; dentate to pinnately lobed). Heads 10–30+ in open, corymbiform arrays (more in robust individuals). Peduncles bracteate, sparsely to densely tomentose. Calyculi inconspicuous. Phyllaries 13 or 21, light green, 5–8 mm, usually glabrous (sometimes hairy proximally). Ray florets 10 or 13; corolla laminae 6–8+ mm. Disc florets 50–60+; corolla tubes 3.5–4 mm, limbs 3–3.5 mm. Cypselae 1–1.5 mm, hispid; pappi 5–7 mm. 2n = 46.

Flowering (Mar–)May–early Jun. Open meadows, roadways, sandy or shallow soils overlying granitic outcrops; 0–500 m; Ala., Ark., Del., Fla., Ga., La., Md., N.J., N.C., Okla., S.C., Tex., Va.

Packera tomentosa is common throughout most of its range. The basal and proximal cauline leaves are held at about 45 degrees to the stems.