Seaside ragwort was last reported on Sable Island in 1913 (St. John 1921). This species was not found during the comprehensive vegetation survey on the island in 1981, and was listed as "possibly extirpated" (Catling et al. 1984). Also, in over two decades of working on Sable Island, during vegetation studies and studies of horses which involved much walking over the landscape, ZL had not encountered ragwort. This provided additional support for ragwort's "extirpated" designation. Ragwort is a large and distinctive plant, and if it had been on the island, it is unlikely to have escaped detection for so many years. All things considered, the patch of ragwort found in early August 2003 probably represents a re-colonization.

This possibly solitary patch of seaside ragwort most likely grew from seeds recently washed ashore. A voucher specimen was collected, and GPS was used to record the location of the patch

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