Oxford Ragwort - Senecio squalidus

Oxford Ragwort, (Senecio squalidus), is a species introduced from Sicily in the early 1700s. It was grown in Oxford Botanical Gardens from where it soon escaped into the city - hence its common name.

It really took off with the advent of the railways where the railway ballast mimiced its laval home on the slopes of Mt Etna. The movement of the trains rapidly spread the plant throughout the network.

This is one of many individuals growing around Kirkcaldy Harbour.