Salsify, Goat's beard, Joseph's flower
| Botanical Name | Tragopogon dubius |
| Common Name | Salsify, Goat's beard, Joseph's flower |
| Family | Asteraceae - Aster |
| Description | This plant has hollow stems, is branched near the base and has a few long, narrow, tapered leaves. It has a milky sap. |
| Mature Size | 1 -– 3 ft. |
| Bloom | June – October. Each lone, yellow flower head is made up entirely of ray flowers. Its bracts are longer than the flowers. It is 1” to 2” across and resembles a giant dandelion when it goes to seed. |
| Interesting Facts | Flower opens in the morning and closes in midday, usually by noon. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses | Its long taproots can be dug up, ground, roasted, and used as a coffee substitute. Its roots are too small, fibrous, woody and tough to be anything more than an emergency food. |
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Photo for SFBG by Kay Burdette
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Photo for SFBG by Janice Tucker
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