Senecio decaryi

Senecio decaryi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Senecio
Species:	S. decaryi
Binomial name
Senecio decaryi Humbert

Senecio decaryi, also called yellow puffs and Madagascar senecio, is a succulent plant native to Madagascar.^[1] Its epithet tributes French botanist and ethnologist Raymond Decary (1891–1973).^[2]

It is an upright, meandering, shrubby plant that grows to 1.2 m to 1.5 m (around 4 ft to 5 ft) in height, where it branches at the base and as well as higher up. Having fleshy roots, the spread of the plant frequently surpasses its height.^[1]

The succulent leaves are spoon-shaped (oblanceolate) and feature a small point at the tip. The leaves are glossy green and are upright, with their purple-veined backsides being visible. As they age, the leaves become more spread and gray-green in colour, with the veins no longer conspicuous. Mature leaves are up to 7½ cm (3 inches) long or a slightly more longer.^[1] Its stem is similar to that of Senecio crassissimus, though its leaves are less stout and wider, with lavender margins.^[3]

The terminal inflorescences appear from the tips of the branches, where they ascend to a height of up to 25 cm (10 inches) to produce a bouquet of yellow daisy-like, ray flowers that are bright yellow with an orange disc. They are bunched inside a cup called a capitulum and have mildly sweet fragrance.^[2] The plant usually flowers during the summer and autumn, and it may have more than one round of flowering within a year.^[1] In Australia, it begins to flower in January.^[3]

The plant is found on rocky outcrops in the south-central, arid areas of Madagascar. Therefore it prefers dry environments, particularly in winter, although summer rain is beneficial for it.^[2] It thrives in sandy soil and cactus mix. The leaves will shed under extremely dry conditions.^[4]