# Goatsbeard (*Tragopogon dubius*)

Goatsbeard has big yellow flowers that look like sunbursts! The flowers close up at night and open again in the morning.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 68
- **Habitat:** Fields and meadows
- **Also known as:** Salsify, Western Salsify

![Goatsbeard](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425860/objects/4971.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Asteraceae
- **Genus:** Tragopogon

## 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

- **Sun Tracker:** Goatsbeard flowers open with the morning sun and close by midday, helping it conserve energy and protect pollen.
- **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## 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?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### 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

## Where to spot

- [Gary City Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gary-city-center-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District
- [Lafayette Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lafayette-park) — Michigan, US · Neighborhood
- [Murie Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/murie-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District
- [Painted Hills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/painted-hills) — Oregon, US · Natural Landmark
- [Pointe Mouillee State Game Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pointe-mouillee-state-game-area) — Michigan, US · Nature Reserve
- [Polebridge Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/polebridge-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District

[View all places to see Goatsbeard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/goatsbeard)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

---

Source: [Goatsbeard: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goatsbeard)