Packera plattensis

Packera plattensis, commonly known as prairie ragwort or prairie groundsel, is a species of the genus Packera and family Asteraceae. It used to be placed in the genus Senecio.

Prairie groundsel
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Packera
Species:	P. plattensis
Binomial name
Packera plattensis (Nutt.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
Synonyms[1]
Senecio plattensis Nutt Senecio pseudotomentosus Mackenzie & Bush

Prairie groundsel is found throughout the tallgrass prairie region. It blooms fairly early for a prairie wildflower: from April to July depending on the climate.^[1]

It is easily confused with golden ragwort (Packera aurea) which has a hairless stem and heart-shaped basal leaves, and Senecio integerrimus, which has leaves that are mostly entire instead of fern-like, and much larger basal leaves.^[2]