Plant Image
Flowers
- John Kava


Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Tragopogon dubius - yellow salsify

Synonyms: Tragopogon dubius ssp. major, Tragopogon major
Other Common Names: Western goat's beard, salsify, salsifis majeur, meadow goat's-beard, goatsbeard, goat's beard, common salsify, yellow goat's beard, wild oysterplant
Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub

Family: Asteraceae


   
 
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Flower bud
Granite Mtn - Tr 308
Sue Smith
Flowers
Granite Mtn - Tr 308
Sue Smith
Leaves
John Kava
Plant - summer
John Kava
Forb Plant Description

Origin: Introduced   Life Cycle: Biennial or perennial   Similar Species: Tragopogon pratensis
General Desc: Stems are erect and sparingly branched with terminal solitary flower head. The flower head bracts are narrow, 1 to 1-1/2 inches long and exceed the ray flowers. Large spherical flower head resembles a giant dandelion.
Identification notes: Bracts (phyllaries) usually 10 to 13, longer than the flower heads; flower heads of showy yellow ray flowers, solitary on stems that are visibly inflated at the top; leaves are elongate and narrow, mostly basal, alternate and sessile along the stem.
Height: 1 to 3 feet


Habitat

Habitat Description: Dry roadsides, fields, and disturbed areas.
Plant Communities: Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 3500 - 7500 feet


Flower Characteristics

Color: Lemon-yellow     Shape: Daisy or dandelion-like not in clusters     Tubular: N     Flowering Period: Jun - Sep
Description: Bracts are longer than the ray flowers. Flowers heads open in the morning and close by noon. Each flower head is up to 2-1/2 inches wide and has only bisexual ray flowers.


Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Grayish-green     Leaf Type: Simple     Leaf Shape: Narrow     Leaf Margin: Smooth     Leaf Attachment: Alternate     Leaves Clasp: Y
Hairs: Leaves     Spines: N
Leaf Description: Leaves are up to 12 inches long, mostly less than 1/4 inch wide, gradually tapered from bases to tips. Stems are erect, 1 to several, sparingly branched, unevenly white-woolly when young, smooth when mature; sap milky.


Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: White   
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Achenes, slender, 1 to 1-1/2 inches long, tapering into stout beaks, brown, tipped with numerous, white to off-white, feather-like bristles, enclosing small seed.


  Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590
Version 8.0  
http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php  
Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022
Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson  
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