Salsify

(Tragopogon spp.)

Other Names:
Goat's beard, Oyster plant

Range:


Family:
Asteraceae – Daisy family

Growth Type:
This herbaceous biennial begins in early spring as a basal rosette.

Height:
Salsify typically reaches a height of 8-24 inches, but may attain 3 feet or more.

Leaves:
This herbaceous biennial begins in early spring as a basal rosette with thick, parallel veined, grass like leaves that may reach up to 1' in length.

Stem/Trunk:
Later in spring, a smooth upright stem with alternate thin grass like, light green, leaves appear. The leaves clasp the stem, which contains milky juice.

Root:
Long taproot

Flower Season:
Spring

Flower Appearance:
In the spring a single, giant, yellow or purple dandelion like flower tops the stem. Below the flower are approximately 8 lance shaped bracts. The blossom opens in the morning, and closes by midday.

Seed/Fruit:
After fertilization, the bracts droop, like a goats beard, and the flower becomes a globe shaped seed ball, like that of dandelion, only much larger.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A

Habitat:
Waste Areas, Roadsides

Parts Used:
Young Leaves, Crowns, Root

Culinary Uses:
The young basal rosette leaves, and crowns, can be added to salads, or as a trail nibble, or as a cooked vegetable. The root can be boiled, and eaten as a root vegetable. The leaves and root have a mildly bitter, oyster-like flavor, hence the common name oyster plant. The root is also supposed to be able to be roasted, and ground for a coffee substitute, although I have never tried this.

Traditional Medicinal Uses:
None known

Medicinal Actions:
N/A