Flower profile
Threadleaf groundsel
Senecio flaccidus
Threadleaf groundsel is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In New Mexico it's most often seen in bloom in April–October.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: New Mexico
Quick look
Senecio flaccidus, also known as threadleaf ragwort, is a member of the daisy family. It is native from central to southwest North America, where it is common in gravelly and dry areas.
- It belongs to the Asteraceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 9 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to New Mexico. NatureServe
- In New Mexico, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–October. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 744 research-grade sightings of it in New Mexico, ranking #79 among the 109 flowers on our New Mexico list. iNaturalist
Threadleaf groundsel gift ideas
Handmade threadleaf groundsel gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Threadleaf groundsel art print
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Threadleaf groundsel greeting card
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Threadleaf groundsel mug
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Threadleaf groundsel earrings
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Threadleaf groundsel embroidery pattern
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Threadleaf groundsel sticker
When does it bloom?
In New Mexico, most flowering sightings come in April–October.
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- New Mexico
- Not listed Not on New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Mexico. 19.21.2.9 NMAC
- Rare elsewhere
- No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.
ASPCA's entry “Golden Ragwort” (Senecio species), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Horses: liver disease (must be ingested in large amount or over a long time… ASPCA
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records threadleaf groundsel in 9 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah.
New Mexico counties with USDA records: Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Cibola, Curry, De Baca, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Harding, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Los Alamos, Luna, McKinley, Mora, Otero, Quay, Rio Arriba, Roosevelt, San Juan, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Sierra, Socorro, Taos, Torrance, Union, Valencia.
More New Mexico flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile SEFL3.
- iNaturalist, Senecio flaccidus: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Senecio flaccidus (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- New Mexico: New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC).
- New Mexico: New Mexico Noxious Weed List (NM Department of Agriculture, updated June 2020).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Senecio flaccidus (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: ASPCA.
- Photo: Michael Pirrello via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.