Senecio scandens

Flower name
Senecio scandens
Scientific name
Senecio scandens
Aliastaikingiku, ユキミギク
Place of originJapan,Taiwan, China, the Himalayas, Thailand, Bhutan, India, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Nepal
Place of floweringFields and footpaths
Flowering seasonJanuary, February, March, November, December

What is Senecio scandens

Senecio scandens or taikingiku (Senecio scandens) is a perennial vine native to Japan,Taiwan, China, the Himalayas, Thailand, Bhutan, India, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Nepal.
It grows wild on cliffs and fields near the coast in warm areas of Honshu (Wakayama Prefecture), Shikoku (Kochi and Tokushima Prefectures), and Kyushu (Kumamoto Prefecture).
The woody, slender stems are 2 to 5 meters long and branch out into numerous branches at the top. The short, petiolate, leathery, glossy, dark green, oblong-triangular leaves are 8-11 cm long, acuminate, and alternate with serrations on the leaf margins.
It produces sporadic inflorescences from November to March, which produce yellow head flowers with eight petals. It is also called yukimigiku (meaning "snow viewing chrysanthemum") because it blooms in winter.

Origin of flower name
The name "taikin chrysanthemum" comes from the appearance of many yellow flowers, which look like piles of gold.

Toxicity and medicinal effects
Containing unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it is hepatotoxic and strongly carcinogenic. On the other hand, there are herbal medicines containing pyrrolizidine, which are anti-inflammatory tablets for influenza. As a medicinal herb, it has a clearing and detoxifying effect.

Common name:Senecio scandens, scientific name: Senecio scandens, also known as taikin-giku, Origin: Japan, Taiwan, China, Himalayas, Thailand, Bhutan, India, Philippines, Myanmar, Nepal, Habitat: Honshu (Wakayama Pref.), Shikoku (Kochi, Tokushima Prefs.), Kyushu (Kumamoto Pref.), Living environment: warm coastal cliffs, Life form: perennial vine, vine length: 2-5 m, petiole length: 1-2 cm, leaf texture: leathery, leaf color: dark green and glossy, leaf shape: long triangular to broad lanceolate, leaf length: 8-11 cm, acuminate, serrations: yes, stem leaf: alternate; flowering season: November to March; inflorescence shape: diffuse inflorescence; corolla shape: head flower; inflorescence diameter: 1.4-1.8 cm; glossy flower color: yellow; glossy flower length: less than 1 cm; number of glossy petals: 8; bract: tubular; bract length: 0.6 cm.