Grey ragwort

Jacobaea incana (formerly Senecio incanus) is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial herb in the Asteraceae family endemic to high-elevation habitats across the southern European mountains. Plants reach only 5 to 15 centimetres in height and develop a basal rosette of densely silver-grey, white-tomentose, pinnately divided leaves whose felted indumentum protects against intense alpine sun and desiccation. From June to August short, leafy stems bear compact corymbs of small bright yellow to orange-yellow flower heads with both ray and disc florets, followed by tufted achenes dispersed by wind. The species is widespread in the Eastern Alps, the Apennines and the Carpathians, where it grows on stony pastures, siliceous screes, rocky outcrops and moraines at elevations of 1,700 to 2,600 metres above sea level. Like other members of its genus it contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.