The Knepp Wilding Podcast The Plant People Love to Hate
Aug 22, 2025
In this discussion, Mick Crawley, an Emeritus Professor of Plant Ecology, tackles the notorious ragwort. With summer's bounty of this misunderstood wildflower, he reveals its true nature as a crucial player in ecosystems. The conversation dispels myths about its toxicity, emphasizing its benefits to insects and wildlife. Additionally, Crawley examines societal perceptions influenced by farming culture and offers insights on how attempts to eradicate ragwort might actually aid its spread. Ultimately, he advocates for a narrative shift to embrace ragwort's ecological importance.
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Flowers Feed Many Species Late Into Season
- Ragwort supports dozens of invertebrates mainly via its flowers, not just by being eaten.
- Its late flowering provides crucial nectar when few other plants bloom.
Toxicity Is Real But Mortality Is Negligible
- Ragwort can cause liver damage if dried into hay, but real-world horse deaths from ragwort are extremely rare.
- There is no substantial data attributing a meaningful percentage of horse mortality to ragwort.
Avoid Cutting Or Uprooting To Reduce Numbers
- If you cut hay, pull ragwort up before cutting to avoid dried ragwort in the feed.
- Avoid cutting seed heads or pulling living plants elsewhere because both actions increase future ragwort numbers.
