Common ragwort in the park

This year, the growth of common ragwort in this area of Stirling’s King’s Park has been prolific. Ragwort (scientific name Jacobaea vulgaris) is a’Marmite’ plant, much unwanted by people with cattle or horses for which it can have toxic, even fatal, effects. But it is also hugely important as a source of nectar for pollinators. In fact, it is one of the top ten UK plants in terms of nectar sugar produced per unit area. In the UK, common ragwort provides habitat and food for 77 invertebrate species, of which 30 feed exclusively on ragwort and another 22 species which use it for a significant part of their diet. Yay for ragwort and its sunny little faces!