senecio

noun

se·​ne·​cio si-ˈnē-sh(ē-ˌ)ō 

plural senecios

: any of a large genus (Senecio) of widely distributed composite plants that have alternate or basal leaves and flower heads usually with yellow ray flowers

Examples of senecio in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the lower container, silver takes on a softer look—and feel—with the velvety leaves of licorice plant, 'Angel Wings’ senecio, and ‘Mori’s Strain’ artemisia; dainty ‘Pink Chablis’ lamium flowers lend a touch of color. —Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2025

The nursery grows more than 650 varieties including many different kinds of haworthia, kalanchoe, senecio, aeonium and sedum. —Debbie Arrington, sacbee, 15 Dec. 2017

Her bouquet was made of white calla lilies, silver senecio, lily of the valley, hydrangeas. —Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Senecio, genus name, going back to Latin seneciōn-, seneciō "old man, groundsel," from senec-, variant stem of sen-, senex "old, aged, old man" + -iōn-, -iō, suffix forming appellatives from adjectives — more at senior entry 2

Note: This marginally attested derivative appears to have extracted senec- from senex; it must have originated after vowel weakening, which would have resulted in *seniciō, or have been dependent on analogy. The sense "groundsel" was suggested by the plant's hoary pappus.

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

senecio

noun

se·​ne·​cio si-ˈnē-sh(ē-ˌ)ō 

1

capitalized : a genus of widely distributed plants (family Compositae) including some containing various alkaloids which are poisonous to livestock

2

plural senecios : any plant of the genus Senecio