Tragopogon porrifolius L.
Family: Asteraceae
oyster-plant, salsify, vegetable-oyster
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Botanical Illustration  
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Botanical Illustration  
Tragopogon porrifolius image
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)  
Etymology: Tragopogon: derived from two Greek words tragos meaning "goat" and pogon meaning "beard," suggested by its prominent, feathery hairs when in seed
Plants: erect, biennial, 1'-3' tall forb with milky juice
Leaves: alternate, grass-like with straight, pointed tips, clasping
Flowers: head 2"-4" wide with purple ray flowers, bracts slightly to much longer than the rays; inflorescence a single head on a long stalk; blooms April-Aug.
Fruits: dry seed on brownish, fluffy pappus
Habitat: moist; disturbed sites, roadsides
Conservation Status: Introduced - escaped
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Botanical Illustration  
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Kitty Kohout  
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Janice Stiefel  
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Flora.cyberia  
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Tragopogon porrifolius image
Robert W. Freckmann  
Tragopogon porrifolius image