Found throughout most of the United States the yellow goatsbeard grow on stems to three feet high producing large, one and a half inch to two inch yellow, dandelion like flowers
Also known as Western Salsify this native of Europe, now found widespread across the United States, produces large globe shape groups of seed, similar to the Common Dandelion. In the same family, Asteraceae, as the Dandelion, their parachute like seeds are dispersed by the wind. The yellow flowers, opening only in the morning, are easily missed.
As with the Dandelion the young leaves of the Yellow Goatsbeard can be used in salads or eaten cooked.
Another species, Tragopogon porrifolius, similar to the Goatsbeard, but with a purple flower, is called the Oyster Plant because of the “Oyster” taste of the cooked roots.
The common name Goatsbeard and genus name, Tragopogon, come from the Greek name Tragos meaning goat and pogon meaning beard, thus named for the beardlike appearance of the fruit or seeds.
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