Senecio polyodon (pink ragwort)

Japanese name: セネシオ ポリオドン
Scientific name: Senecio polyodon

[Overview]
A perennial about 40–60 cm tall.
The stem is slender, erect, and branches in the upper part.
There are basal leaves and leaves alternate on the stem; the basal leaves, including the leaf stalk, are 30 cm long and 4 cm wide, spatulate to oblong, and the stem leaves are small and stalkless.
The leaf margins have low serrations or teeth.
Many flower heads about 1 cm across, deep pink to bright reddish purple, are borne in corymbs to panicles on the upper part of the stem.
Each flower head has about 12 ray flowers around the edge and tubular flowers in the center.
The fruit is an achene.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It also spreads by self-sown seed.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, well-ventilated site and dislikes heat and humidity.
If the environment suits it, it grows and becomes bushy even when left alone.
When watering, take care not to make the soil too wet; for potted plants, water thoroughly after the soil has dried, and for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
It tolerates dryness.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary if base fertilizer is applied, but for potted plants, apply slow-release fertilizer in spring or autumn while watching how the plant is growing.
After flowering, cut back hard to improve ventilation; this keeps the plant from becoming stuffy and makes it easier to get through the summer.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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