Hunting at Roadside IV #18

Groundsel (senecio Vulgaris) is an annual weed frequently found on wasteland, in fields and hedgerows, and in gardens.

Groundsel is toxic to humans and animals. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can cause irreversible liver damage and possibly death.

However, the whole flowering plant is used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people take groundsel for worms and colic. They take the pressed juice for irregular or painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) and epilepsy.