Tragopogon pratensis aka Goat's Beard

Tragopogon pratensis, or meadow goat's beard, is in the aster family. It is native to Europe, Central Asia, and Turkey. It has spread into Canada, the United States, and Haiti. It grows in meadows, pastures, roadsides, and other disturbed ground. Its yellow blooms and large seedheads suit wildflower gardens.

Plants grow about 1–3 feet [0.3–0.9 metres] tall. RHS gives a top garden height of 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Spread can reach 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Sources differ on how long it lives. NC State calls it a biennial, with a two-year life. Leaves form a rosette, or cluster, in the first year. Stems bear flowers in the second year. RHS also records plants that live for one year. Others live for a few years as short-lived perennials. The plant has a taproot and forms clumps. Narrow green leaves clasp the stems and curl at their tips. Young leaves have a few hairs but lose them with age. Smooth stems stand upright, with a waxy coat and milky sap.

Yellow flowerheads bloom from May to August. Each head stands alone at a stem tip. The blooms look like dandelions and open on sunny mornings. They close around noon, which explains several common names. Green bracts, or leaf-like parts, ring the flowerheads. The anthers, which bear pollen, are black. Bees and flies visit the flowers for nectar. Brown achenes, or dry fruits, follow, each with a feathery tuft. These form large, pale, fluffy seedheads. Wind blows the seeds away, so plants spread without planting.

Give this plant full sun for best growth. NC State says it cannot grow in shade. RHS allows partial shade. It grows in sand, loam, clay, and chalk. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils all suit it. Both sources support moist soil that drains well. NC State lists USDA zones 3–7; RHS rates it H7. It withstands strong winds and needs little care. Grow it from seed; it needs no pruning. It seeds itself, so informal beds and meadows suit it better. Its flowers feed pollinators, and its seedheads make a bold display. Pests and diseases cause few problems, though spittlebugs may occur.

You can eat the roots, young leaves, shoots, and flowering stems. Eat young roots raw; cook older roots. Use tender spring leaves raw or cooked. Cook flowering stems and buds like asparagus. PFAF reports no known hazards. Sources note past use to aid digestion and treat coughs. They also note uses for skin care. These are past uses, not proven treatments.