Lambstongue Ragwort

The varieties of Senecio integerrimus are distinguished by morphology and geography.

Perennials (possibly biennials), (10–)20–70 cm (cau­dices button­like, roots fleshy-fibrous). Herbage arachnose, loosely tomentose, or villous (hairs crisped, jointed), glabrescent. Stems single. Leaves progressively reduced distally; ± petiolate; blades elliptic, lanceolate, linear, oblanceolate, rounded-deltate, or suborbiculate, 6–25 × 1–6 cm, bases ± tapered or truncate to cordate, margins entire or ± dentate (distal leaves sessile, bractlike). Heads 6–20(–40+) in corymbiform arrays (peduncle of terminal head often shorter than others). Calyculi of 1–5+ linear to filiform bractlets (seldom more than 2 mm). Phyllaries usually ± 13 or ± 21, rarely ± 8, (4–)5–12(–15) mm, tips usually black, sometimes green. Ray florets usually ± 8 or ± 13, sometimes 0; corolla laminae 6–15(–20) mm (usually yellow, ochroleucous to white in one variety). Cypselae usually glabrous, sometimes hirtellous (mostly on angles). 2n = 40, 80.

Senecio integerrimus is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common names lambstongue ragwort and tall western groundsel. It is native to western and central North America, where it grows in grassland, forest, and other habitat. It is a biennial or perennial herb producing one or a few erect stems 20 to 70 centimeters (8 to 27+1⁄2 in) tall from a caudex with fleshy shallow roots. The linear to lance-shaped or triangular leaves are primarily basal, with blades up to 25 cm (10 in) long. The herbage is slightly hairy to woolly or cobwebby. The inflorescence bears several flower heads in a cluster, the middle, terminal head often largest and held on a shorter peduncle, making the cluster look flat. The heads contain many disc florets and usually 8 or 13 ray florets which may be yellow to cream to white in color. Some heads lack ray florets.

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