Goatsbeard
ExplorePlant
Goatsbeard
Tragopogon dubius
Goatsbeard has big yellow flowers that look like sunbursts! The flowers close up at night and open again in the morning.
Habitat: Fields and meadows
Appearance
The Goatsbeard has striking pale yellow, star-like flowers that unfurl in the morning sun. Its slender, grass-like leaves grow from a central stem, and after blooming, it forms an enormous, fluffy seed head, resembling a giant dandelion clock.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusTragopogon
Category
PlantRarity
Common
Danger
1/5
Snaps
22
Interesting facts
Its name comes from the whiskery look of its closed flower buds or seed heads.
Sometimes called "Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon" because its flowers close midday!
The huge seed head can be over 10 cm wide, looking like a super-sized dandelion!
You can eat young Goatsbeard shoots and roots, tasting a bit like oysters or asparagus!
Special abilities
Ability
Sun Tracker
Goatsbeard flowers open with the morning sun and close by midday, helping it conserve energy and protect pollen.
Ability
Water Miner
Goatsbeard has a strong, deep taproot that can reach water far underground, helping it survive dry periods.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-120 cm
- Spread
- 15-45 cm
- Flower Size
- 3-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to late summer
- Is Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers.
pollinates
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Visits the yellow flowers for nectar.
eaten by
Domestic sheep
Ovis aries
Graze on the leaves and young shoots.
Traits
Flowering
These are the plants that produce beautiful blossoms, attracting pollinators and adding splashes of color to our world. Each flower is a tiny marvel!
Shade Tolerant
Discover plants that love to live in the shadows, growing beautifully and happily even in spots where the sun doesn't shine all day long.
Grassland
These wide-open spaces are covered in grasses, often home to grazing animals and incredible predators! Experience the vastness of the plains.
Also known as
SalsifyWestern Salsify
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Goatsbeard?
30-120 cm
How wide does Goatsbeard spread?
15-45 cm
How big are the flowers on Goatsbeard?
3-5 cm
When does Goatsbeard bloom?
Late spring to late summer
Is Goatsbeard edible?
Yes
Is Goatsbeard toxic?
None
What is Goatsbeard's lifecycle?
Biennial
How is Goatsbeard pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Park124 sightings11 species
Quebec, CA
Parc de l'Amérique-Latine
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British Columbia, CA
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Park9 sightings7 species
Utah, US
Bear Lake State Park
You might spot Canada Goose, Redstem Stork's-Bill, and American Robin.
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Park31 sightings5 species
South Dakota, US
Dinosaur Park
You might spot Scarlet Globemallow, Leadplant, and Yellow Salsify.
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Park20 sightings4 species
British Columbia, CA
Stemwinder Provincial Park
You might spot Field Locoweed, Silky Lupine, and Wax Currant.
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