A renowned 'weed' of paddocks, pastures and waste ground, the yellow flower heads of common ragwort are actually highly attractive to bees and other insects (as can be seen towards the right of the shot).
Although the plant is often unwanted by landowners because of its toxic effect for cattle and horses, and because it is considered a weed by many, it provides a great deal of nectar for pollinators. It was rated in the top 10 for most nectar production (nectar per unit cover per year) in a UK plants survey conducted by the AgriLand project.
This area of ragwort is at a safe distance from animals that are vulnerable, since it is found in an old orchard in front of the Dormouse pub and restaurant on Shipton Road in York.
Lovely shot of this underrated flower, it really is quite pretty.
When on a walk with my sister a few weeks ago we came to a field that was full of ragwort.
When we looked closely at the flowers, everyone was covered with Cinnabar moth caterpillars. It is their only food source and they can strip the plants. When this food source is gone they start eating each other.
We were puzzled as to why there was a field full of ragwort but after reading your narrative I wonder if there were bee hives close by.
I knew it was toxic to cattle but not that it was good for pollinators or Cinnabar moth caterpillars. 365 has proved to be quite a good source of information!
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
This is a good example of a plant with both positive and negative attributes. The risk to horses and cattle contrasts with its importance as a provider of nectar.
It's a shame this plant gets such a bad press. I have seen paddocks with several horses grazing amongst it. They seem to know to leave it alone, but the danger is if the ragwort gets into their hay feed.
When on a walk with my sister a few weeks ago we came to a field that was full of ragwort.
When we looked closely at the flowers, everyone was covered with Cinnabar moth caterpillars. It is their only food source and they can strip the plants. When this food source is gone they start eating each other.
We were puzzled as to why there was a field full of ragwort but after reading your narrative I wonder if there were bee hives close by.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
This is a good example of a plant with both positive and negative attributes. The risk to horses and cattle contrasts with its importance as a provider of nectar.
Ian
It seems that horses don't like the sour taste of this flower, so leave it alone. That would be disguised if some was in their hay feed.
Ian
Thank you Vesna, they are quite attractive.
Ian