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How to Identify and Destroy Toxic Plants Growing in French Gardens

Pabio October 29, 2024

It can cause illness and even be fatal if consumed.

Some species of the plant are widespread and native to Europe

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Home gardeners have many problems to solve in France when trying to keep their land tidy.

One is ragwort (Ragwort), a weed found all over Europe, notably on roadsides, on footpaths and, frustratingly for some, in gardens.

Unlike its cousin the dandelion, ragwort is toxic to humans and animals (pets and livestock).

It is a common plant, particularly in the UK, where debate rages over whether its benefits – it is a powerful pollinator favored by insects – outweigh its dangers.

There are more than 1,200 species of plants in the world, three main types of which are found in France:

Ragwort, sometimes called ragwort (common ragwort) is the most common and least toxic. It can flower all year round, grows up to 50cm tall and looks like a dandelion.
Cape ragwort (Cape ragwort) is native to South Africa and is an invasive species in Europe. It can live up to five years and is most common in the south of France, where it can reach 80 cm in height. Its flower is bright yellow with long, slender petals.
Common ragwort (Jacobean ragwort) is native to Europe and is often seen in grasslands. It can grow up to 1.2 meters tall and is slender with yellow flowers. It is the most toxic of the three and responsible for the majority of incidents linked to ragwort poisoning.

What are the symptoms?

Ragwort poisoning affects the liver in animals and humans who ingest the plant, although it is rare for humans to eat it.

Symptoms of severe poisoning include loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, colic and photosensitization, and there is no known cure.

The mortality rate for horses that consume enough ragwort to risk acute poisoning is around 60%, but they tend to avoid the plant because of its taste.

Learn more: Book shows how to cook with black bryonia in southwest France

What to do if you find ragwort in your garden?

If you want to grow ragwort, you may choose to do so – some people use it in their flower beds.

However, in the case of the other two, if you find the plants, you should immediately remove them from your garden.

Remove it by hand and burn it, minimizing the risk of spreading.

If your garden is overgrown with ragwort, you may need to use chemicals to remove it.

To prevent ragwort from gaining a foothold in your garden, you can plant grass, let it grow tall and keep the soil as moist as possible. For agricultural land, rotational grazing is recommended.