Goatsbeard
ExplorePlants
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
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
65
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
- 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
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Also known as
SalsifyWestern Salsify
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Goatsbeard?
The easiest way to identify Goatsbeard is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
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
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Jun 1, 2026
James Cant Ranchi
Photo attribution
(c) John Clonce, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 24, 2026
Andrews Geyseri
Photo attribution
(c) Terry Loeb, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 21, 2026
Main Avenue Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) Indio Brown, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
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