Apr 302014
A couple of days ago, I photographed this plant with tiny yellow flowers (less than half an inch across), flourishing in a ditch along Piney Woods Church Road. I have held off posting it, pending an identification. After poring over several wildflower guides, to no avail, I put the task to my Plant Identification Facebook group. Wow, how helpful everyone was! After several suggestions from others and a bit more research on my own, I am fairly confident that this plant is Southern Ragwort (Packera anonyma), a perennial native herb. Traditionally used by Native Americans to prevent pregnancy and treat heart trouble, the plant contains toxins and therefore should be used medicinally only with extreme caution.
I am glad you were able to make a final identification.
Thank you for your help, Arleigh! Clifford