1 / 4

Tragopogon spp.

salsifies

Asteraceae

Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Tragopogon spp. is a genus of about 140 species of biennial and perennial herbs in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, with several species now naturalized across North America and elsewhere. Plants form a basal rosette in the first season and send up branched flowering stems 12 to 48 inches (30 to 120 cm) tall, all parts exuding a milky latex when cut. The leaves are narrow, grass-like, and clasping, tapering to a long point and often slightly glaucous. Solitary flower heads open at the stem tips and consist entirely of strap-shaped ray florets, coloured yellow in species such as T. pratensis or dull purple to violet in T. porrifolius; the heads close by midday in bright weather. Surrounding the florets is a ring of long, pointed bracts that extend beyond the petals. After flowering, each head develops into a large spherical seed cluster up to 4 inches (10 cm) across, each seed carried on a feathery parachute resembling an oversized dandelion clock. T. porrifolius is grown as a root vegetable. Most species behave as biennials, dying after setting seed, and spread readily from the wind-borne seed.

Native Range

Native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, with the center of diversity around the Mediterranean and western Asia. Several species, including T. dubius and T. pratensis, have naturalized widely across North America.

Suggested Uses

T. porrifolius is grown in vegetable gardens for its edible taproot, which has a mild flavour. The wild species appear in meadows, verges, and disturbed ground, and the seed heads are cut for dried arrangements. The flowers are visited by bees and hoverflies.

How to Identify

Recognized by narrow grass-like leaves that clasp the stem and release milky sap when broken, and by solitary heads of strap-shaped florets backed by long pointed bracts. The yellow or purple heads close around midday. The spherical seed heads, up to 4 inches (10 cm) wide, carry feathery-plumed seeds like a large dandelion.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 4'

Width/Spread8" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs from late spring through summer, generally May to July. Each head opens in the morning and closes by early afternoon, lasting a single day. Seed heads ripen a few weeks later and disperse on the wind.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow or purple to violet

Foliage Description

green to grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Tragopogon spp. species grow in full sun on a wide range of well-drained soils, including poor, stony, and sandy ground. They tolerate drought once the deep taproot is established and need little supplementary water. Soil pH from 6.0 to 7.5 suits the genus, and overly rich soil produces forked, misshapen roots in the cultivated salsify. Seed of biennial species is sown in spring for a root harvest the following autumn and winter. Plants self-seed freely and can spread beyond where they are sown.

Pruning

Pruning is not practised on these herbaceous plants. Removal of developing seed heads limits self-sowing where the plants are not wanted to spread. Flowering stems can be cut to the base after seed set to tidy the plant.