| Tragopogon dubius | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Tragopogon |
| Species: | T. dubius |
| Binomial name | |
| Tragopogon dubius | |
Tragopogon dubius, commonly known as yellow salsify, is a species of salsify with yellow flower heads. It is native to Eurasia and has been introduced to North America.
Like most salsifies, Tragopogon dubius grows as an annual or occasionally biennial forb,[ citation needed ] reaching a height of 40–80 centimetres (15+1⁄2–31+1⁄2 in). The leaves are up to 25 cm (10 in) long. [1]
The buds are blue-green, tall, and tapered. On display from late spring to late summer, the yellow flower head is 4–5 cm (1+1⁄2–2 in) wide. [1] The inflorescence opens early in the morning and often closes up by late afternoon. Later, the plant forms a seed head resembling that of dandelions, but distinctly larger.
The seeds (known as achenes) are 2–4 cm long but featherweight, weighing about 8 mg each on average. There is some natural variation between the central and peripheral achenes in the seedhead, with the peripheral ones being generally darker and heavier, and having a higher concentration of phenolic compounds; this may enhance their survival potential.
Similar species include the widespread T. pratensis (meadow salsify), the bracts of which are shorter than the rays. [1]
Although not particularly closely related to T. porrifolius or T. pratensis, T. dubius hybridises readily with both, and in North America its hybrids have given rise to the new alloploid hybrid species T. mirus and T. miscellus.
It has a synonym, Tragopogon major.
Its common names include yellow salsify, [2] western salsify, western goat's-beard, wild oysterplant, yellow goat's beard, meadow goat's beard, goat's beard (or goatsbeard), common salsify, and salsify. Some of these are also, perhaps more commonly, used for other species.[ citation needed ]
It is native to southern and central Europe and western Asia and found as far north and west as northern France. Although it has been reported from Kashmir and India, recent evidence[ citation needed ] suggests that specimens from these areas may be a different species.
It has been introduced into North America [1] where it has become widespread, being reported from all the continental United States except for a few in the far southeast, and all provinces of Canada except Newfoundland and the northern territories.
It grows typically in fields and disturbed areas. [1]
The basal leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. [3] Native Americans ate the roots, which are best cooked, [4] and are said to taste like oysters. [5]
Media related to Tragopogon dubius at Wikimedia Commons