Golden Ragwort, sometimes called Heartleaf Ragwort, is fairly common in wet woods and streambanks in the Mountain and Piedmont regions of North Carolina. It is one of our first spring wildflowers, blooming before most trees leaf out.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 3/16/2012.

Formerly known as Senecio aureus L.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 3/16/2012.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 3/16/2012.

The basal leaves are cordate (heart-shaped) or reniform (kidney-shaped), unlike most other members of this genus. Very similar to the rarer Roundleaf Ragwort (Packera obovata), but the basal leaves are cordate or reniform instead of obovate or orbicular.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 3/16/2012.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 3/16/2012.

Planted specimen, Durham, NC 3/16/2012.