There is a general consensus that Ragwort (Senecio jacobea) is a noxious weed that is invading the British countryside, poisoning livestock and possibly humans alike. Numerous articles, including some official ones, refer to it being ‘recently introduced’, ‘out of control’ or ‘increasing dramatically’. Other sources suggest that just breathing in the plant ‘spores’* is enough to cause serious liver damage.
Ragwort
There is no doubt that in places ragwort is increasing just as other plants increase in number or range periodically. There is also no doubt that it is a highly toxic plant that is capable of causing fatalities in livestock, particularly cattle and horses. Less frequently reported are the benefits to the environment it brings for it a native plant that is host to numerous insects as well as Common Broomrape (Orobanche minor), an obligate parasitic plant that cannot complete its life cycle without it (although it is also parasitic on some other plant species too).
Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar
Plantlife, the conservation charity (link here), have produced a ‘position statement’ on ragwort control which – in my opinion at least – appears to be more balanced. They acknowledge that livestock can be damaged and that control may be necessary in areas of high risk. They also counterbalance the argument by stating that there is no evidence that it is proliferating.
Ladies Bedstraw – sometimes confused with ragwort should not be disturbed
The alkaloids in ragwort are harmless whilst they remain in the plant but become toxic once ingested. It takes considerable amounts to cause catastrophic liver failure and this is usually caused by feeding contaminated hay over long periods of time. To have a horse die from ragwort poisoning is extremely distressing both for the horse and its owner and as symptoms don’t show until cure is too late precautions do need to be taken. Reaction caused by casual contact is usually dermatitis, and relatively rare.
Ragwort and horses – not a good combination
Ragwort is more prevalent where disturbed soil conditions exist and the churning of ground by hooves create perfect conditions for seed to germinate. Although animals don’t select fresh ragwort in preference to other species they will eat it if other food is scarce such as in times of drought or through overstocking.
Ragwort growing beside path made by horses
So should ragwort be controlled or not? The answer, as with most things in life, is yes but in moderation. It is quite unnecessary to remove ragwort plants from areas of low or no risk as is sometimes thought. I keep horses and spend time each year removing ragwort from the fields in which they graze. The best way is to pull the plant out by hand rather than to use chemicals which create other issues. It is generally believed that the toxins can be absorbed through the skin so it is advisable to wear gloves to prevent this.
Always remove the pulled plants from the field
The tall flowering stems of ragwort with their attractive head of yellow daisy-like flowers are easy enough to see and remove. Less obvious are the non-flowering plants – these have a rosette of leaves hugging the ground. It is essential that the pulled plants are disposed of carefully, preferably by burning, as seeds can form on dying plants. It is also essential that the plants are identified properly and that other species are not removed. It should also be remembered that it is illegal to disturb or remove any wild plant that is not growing on land you own or have responsibility for.
Ragwort flowers
Ground hugging leaf rosette of immature plant
*Ragwort is a seeding plant and does not produce spores. This is just one way how misinformation can cause confusion and unnecessary health concerns
Life in the English Cotswolds 
“It is generally believed that the toxins can be absorbed through the skin”
Generally, but wrongly. It is only after PAs have reached the gut that they are broken down into forms that harm some animals.
There is so much misinformation out there about ragwort. I especially ‘like’ the one that it spreads by spores – I’d never realised it was a fungus 😉
As Bill mentioned I also I read that apparently the PAs in ragwort were in N-oxide form so needed to be ingested before they caused any adverse affects. I then read that with improvements in analytical techniques, significant amounts of the more toxic free base WERE present in ragwort. See https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/18695/03_Redacted.pdf?sequence=9
To me it is not a major issue, anyone who handles any plant needs to take whatever precautions they see fit – particularly if they have broken skin. I worry more about dismissing the possibility purely by making an incorrect assumption especially when injected PA has been shown to be toxic.
Oh good! I’ve just removed a bunch of ragwort without gloves prior to landscaping work. Had to find a new home form the cinnabar caterpillars on them. Colin (WoW) Nevil’s a pseudonym.
Hi Colin – glad you told me who you really are! More likely to get an irritation from the hairs on the caterpillar than from the ragwort I imagine 😉
Tried to post this yesterday but reply still ‘awaiting moderation’ – will now probably appear twice – sorry! As you say Bill, I also I read that apparently the PAs in ragwort were in N-oxide form so needed to be ingested before they caused any adverse affects. I then read that with improvements in analytical techniques, significant amounts of the more toxic free base WERE present in ragwort. See for example https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/18695/03_Redacted.pdf?sequence=9
To me it is not a major issue, anyone who handles any plant needs to take whatever precautions they see fit – particularly if they have broken skin. I worry more about dismissing the possibility purely by making an incorrect assumption especially when injected PA has been shown to be toxic.
By the way Plantlife position statement on ragwort control can be found here http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uploads/documents/Ragwort_Position_statement_FINAL_PUBLIC_July07.pdf I didn’t find the link in the blog worked for me
Thanks Sue for taking time to comment and for the alternative link. Have been away from the computer for 24 hours hence the delay in the comments appearing until now.
There is huge amounts of contradictory information about ragwort on the internet (as there is about most things!) – I always wear gloves when handling it but then I tend to wear gloves when handling any plant material out of habit…
The biggest issue for me these days is all the contradictory information we keep being fed – not just about ragwort. For years they’ve been telling us we can drink Roundup because it’s so harmless. Suddenly they’re not so sure… Fortunately for me I never have tried drinking poisons and I shall continue to wear gloves when handling ragwort. Perhaps I’m just a born coward 😉
“Everything in moderation” always seems to be the best course… those out of control spores sound like the basis for a good sci fi movie!
There’s a thought!
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