Salsify (Tragopogon dubius) is a biennial flowering plant that grows from a long taproot.
- Stems are leaved and branched.
- Greenish narrow leaves have a clasping habit from the base to the the upper stem.
- The stems become enlarged just below the flower heads.
- Single terminal composite flowers have lanceolate bracts outside of pale yellow ray flowers.
- Flowers appear mid-spring.
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- Achenes form after flowering. The pappus has whitish feathery intertwined bristles.
- Seeds are dispersed with the wind.
- Yellow salsify is a common, weedy plant in many areas, but can also be found in the grasslands, on open hillsides, and in disturbed sites.
- It is pollinated by insects, but it can also self-pollinate.
- Similar species include common salsify (T. porrifolius) and meadow salsify (T. pratensis), both found on damper sites.
- Other names for salsify include oysterplant and goat’s beard. The basal leaves and root are edible (and are said to taste like oysters).
- Salsify can be grown from seed, although it you may have to order it online. It is easy to collect seed (up to 1000 seeds per plant) in the time before it disperses (early summer).
- Although the plant is weedy, the flowers are welcome in spring.