Zulu name: ihubo
Many marshy areas in the Midlands are a mass of mauve right now as this dainty Senecio blooms. Clearly the early rains this season suit the plant, as I have never seen it flowering quite so profusely.
There are two species of this purple-headed Senecio growing together, so it is a little confusing. One with dicoid (no petals) flower heads – Senecio polyodon var. polyodon – and the other with magenta ray florets (petals) that is Senecio polyodon var subglaber.
The plants are about 50cm tall but can get up to 75cm. Margins of the narrow leaves are toothed and clasp the base of the sticky stem. The inflorescence is much branched with the sweet smelling flowers ranging in colour from pale mauve to purple.
Senecio is the largest genus of flowering plants in the world with over 300 species found in South Africa. The word Senecio comes from senex which means old man, referring to the white/grey hairy pappas (modified calyx) that surrounds the base of the corolla tube in flower heads.
Look out for this pretty little Senecio in seasonally waterlogged areas and along streams in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Free State and Gauteng.
Midlands Mosaic 
It always amazes me how different flowering plants can almost be dormant until the perfect weather conditions produce abundance! Lovely purple post, thank you! xxx
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Have you also noticed them flowering en masse? So special along the river here. Had me really confused with the two kinds beside each other.
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