Ragwort is a biennial, growing to 30-100cm high, with woody stems and dark green leaves, and yellow densely packed flowers May to October. If cut or mown it will act as a perennial. Each plant produces thousands of seeds, dispersed mainly by the wind or movement of contaminated soil.
Ragwort is one of the most frequent causes of plant poisoning in livestock. Although unattractive to most animals in its green state, it becomes highly palatable and can easily be inadvertently eaten in dried grass or hay. Ragwort destroys liver cells causing permanent damage and eventually death. There is also increasing evidence that the Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids, which cause the damage to the liver cells, can enter the human food chain.
Invasive Weed Solutions first survey the site to identify and document the extent of infestation. A number of alternative approaches are then recommended for control, each recommendation being site specific taking into account location, level of infestation, extent of control required and the environmental impact of the control method. We help clients comply with the 'Code of Practice to prevent and control the spread of Ragwort'.
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