ExplorePlants

Salsifies

Tragopogon

Salsifies are special plants with long, green leaves and bright yellow flowers. They grow in fields and gardens, and their roots are tasty and can be eaten like vegetables!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Salsifies has striking yellow or purple daisy-like flowers that close and twist into a spiral by late afternoon. Its most unique feature is its enormous, airy seed head, resembling a giant dandelion puffball, standing tall in meadows.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusTragopogon
Salsifies
flowering trait badgebiennial trait badgesummer_blooming trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
Salsifies

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Ancient Romans and Greeks ate Salsifies roots, long before carrots became popular!

Salsifies flowers are often called 'Goat's Beard' because their seed heads look like a fluffy white beard!

The plant's stems ooze a milky white sap when broken, a sticky secret many plants keep!

Their huge seed heads can be bigger than your hand, easily double the size of a dandelion puffball!

Special abilities

Ability

Parachute Seeds

Salsifies has large, feathery seeds that catch the wind, allowing it to spread widely and find new places to grow.

Ability

Deep Drinker

Salsifies has a long, sturdy taproot that helps it reach deep into the soil to find water and nutrients during dry spells.

Measurements & details

Height
30-100 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
3-6 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Biennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

honey bee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen

pollinates

buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Visits flowers for nectar

eaten by

European rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Browses on young leaves

eaten by

garden snail

Helix aspersa

Feeds on foliage

Traits

Also known as

Oyster PlantVegetable Oyster

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching or tasting any plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Salsifies?

30-100 cm

How wide does Salsifies spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on Salsifies?

3-6 cm

When does Salsifies bloom?

Summer

Is Salsifies edible?

Yes

Is Salsifies toxic?

None

What is Salsifies's lifecycle?

Biennial

How is Salsifies pollinated?

Insect

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