R. Routledge

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Senecio indecorus of Michigan Flora.

Coniferous and mixed, often rocky, forests and openings; cedar swamps. More often in rocky, well drained soils than the permanently wet, rich soils inhabited by P. aurea.

Some or all heads in most Michigan collections are radiate [f. burkei (Greenm.) Fernald], as they are also from the Lake Superior region of Ontario. Only radiate plants are reported from Wisconsin as well.

This species is easily confused with P. aurea, especially if basal rosette leaves are lacking. In the areas where their ranges overlap, one may not be sure of inadequate specimens. If the rays are long and/or the basal leaves are clearly cordate, one has P. aurea. If the rays are very short or absent, one has P. indecora. (Rayless plants of P. aurea, known elsewhere, have apparently not been found in Michigan.)

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