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Barberton Senecio
Senecio barbertonicus
SA tree no: 738.5
English: Barberton Senecio, Succulent Bush Senecio, Barberton Groundsel, Barberton Coltsfoot, Lemon Bean Bush, Finger‑Leaved Senecio
Historical botanical names: Senecio barbertonicus
Senecio barbertonicus, commonly called Barberton senecio or succulent bush senecio, is an evergreen, dense, bushy perennial succulent. It grows up to 0.5–1.8 m tall, with bright to dark green, cylindrical finger‑like leaves about 55 mm long and 5 mm in diameter. In winter it bears clusters of sweet‑scented, bright yellow tubular flowers.
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Distinguishing features:
Dense, bushy succulent shrub, evergreen
Finger‑like cylindrical leaves, succulent, light to dark green, up to about 55 mm long and 5 mm diameter
Bright yellow, sweetly scented tubular flowers in flat‑topped clusters in winter
Glabrous (smooth, without hairs) stems and leaves
Overall appearance:
A dense, bushy perennial succulent shrub, evergreen, with glabrous plant parts. Stems younger green, turning brown and woody; old stems brittle and rough due to persistent leaf bases.
Height:
0.5–1.8 m
Leaves:
Succulent, bright to dark green, finger‑like; up to 55 mm long and about 5 mm in diameter; cylindrical, slightly curved, narrowing to a pointed tip; with 3–4 nerves along length; remain green for 3–5 seasons.
Flowers:
Composite heads in small flat‑topped clusters above leaves; all tubular flowers; involucre of 8 bracts ~11–13 mm long; bright yellow, sweet scented; tubes up to 8 mm long and 4 mm in diameter.
Flowering season:
Winter
Fruits:
Cylindrical, 3.5 mm long, ribbed, with stiff hairs between ribs; accompanied by pappi of numerous bristles shorter than flower tubes.
Stems:
Younger stems green, becoming woody and brown with age; older stems rough and brittle due to persistent leaf bases.
Soil type:
Dry, sandy areas, among rock outcrops or clambering over trees and bushes in sand forest.
Aspect:
Grows in semi‑shade; drought resistant and mildly frost tolerant.
Uses:
Useful in gardens and as an easy indoor pot plant due to evergreen succulent nature
Suitable for butterfly gardens, attracting Painted Lady butterflies for nectar
Ideal in water‑wise gardens because of drought resistance
Ecology:
Adult Painted Lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) feed on its nectar.
Distribution and habitat:
Occurs in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North‑West and KwaZulu‑Natal provinces; also in Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Mozambique; from 35 m to 1 675 m above sea level. Grows in dry sandy places, rock outcrops or sand forest, usually in semi‑shade.
Derivation of name:
Genus Senecio derives from Latin senex meaning ‘old man’, referring to the grey hairs on the seeds
The specific epithet barbertonicus refers to the original specimen collected near Barberton in Mpumalanga in the late 1800s
Interesting facts:
The name Senecio means ‘old man’ because the seeds have grey hairs—like an old man’s beard!
Barberton senecio blooms in winter, offering sweet‑scented yellow flowers when most other plants are resting.
Its flowers are a favourite of Painted Lady butterflies looking for nectar in dry months.
Growing tips:
Take softwood cuttings in late spring to summer; allow to dry for 1–2 weeks before planting
Plant in well‑drained soil, in full sun or partial shade
Water moderately from spring to autumn; keep dry during winter to prevent rot
Prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils but tolerates poor soils
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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Scientific Name
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Plant type
Plant family:
Plant family (derivation)