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Senecio minimus

Senecio minimus, or common fireweed, is of the Asteraceae family. It is a native plant in Australia and Zew Zealand, and is commonly found after a fire or a disturbance, such as logging land clearing.

Description

Seneico minimus is an erect native herb which can grow to a height of around 120cm. Leaves are toothed and have a shape of elliptic to lanceolate. Leaf length is 6-20cm long and 1-4cm wide. Stems have coarse hair on the bottom half and lacks hair on the upper half. The inflorescences of the plant is corymbose shaped, roughly 25cm wide and consists of up to 400 capitula.

Distribution

Senecio minimus has a very large distribution throughout Australia, with it being found in all states and territories except the Northern Territory. It is widespread through both Victoria and Tasmania, however in other states its distribution is sparser and more limited.

Ecology

In Tasmania it is typically found in wet forests and New Zealand it is also found in coastal to montane areas as well as some subalpine areas. Typically, it is found nears forest edges, due to the opening of the canopy. Typically, this species has a very large increase in its distribution directly after a fire, due to the large disturbance and lack of competition. After a forest regrowth occurs its distribution decreases again till another fire or disturbance. It can typically be found on the sides of roads in wet areas, as there is constant disturbance with plant growth being pruned constantly.

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