So....ragwort (for poliphilo)

Since poliphilo posted about ragwort infesting one of his meadows and potentially poisoning the horses grazing there, I went searching for more information on the plant. First link Google offered me was to a page labeled "Ragwort -- Stinking Willie," which made me giggle.

But it's a rather pretty plant, and apparently pollinators love it, including one of my favorites, the Red Admiral butterfly. I saw one in my neighbor's back yard yesterday, while watering for her. I've recently been thinking about gradually shifting my front plantings over to more pollinator-friendly things, so the bit about ragwort was providential. I don't expect to have much livestock grazing on Christian Street, so it's safe, I think. And it's a lovely plant.

One of the commenters on Poliphilo's thread referenced the beautiful caterpillars of the cinnabar moth, which love to feast on the plant, and I stole a photo that came up in image search. Here it is for your enjoyment:



Gosh, two posts in the same day!