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Yellow goat's beard

How to identify Yellow goat's beard (Tragopogon pratensis)

Yellow goat's beard, also known as Showy goat's-beard, Meadow salsify

Yellow goat's beard is a biennial wildflower that can reach heights of 1-3 feet (30-90 cm). It is characterized by its milky sap present in the roots, stems, and leaves, which are grass-like with curled tips. The foliage has a smooth green appearance with a hint of white. Distinctive deep yellow flowers resemble solitary daisies and generally open in the morning on bright days, closing around noon. The flowers are encased by 8 floral bracts that match or fall short of the petals in length. After flowering, yellow goat's beard forms a large, dandelion-like fuzzy seedhead.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Yellow goat's beard

1

Milky sap present in roots, stems, and leaves.

2

Distinctive deep yellow daisy-like flowers that close around noon.

3

Large, dandelion-like fuzzy seedhead after flowering.

4

Linear, grass-like leaves with powdery undersides and curled tips.

5

Hairless, erect stem with a powdery texture and minimal branching.

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Detailed Traits of Yellow goat's beard

Leaf Features

The leaves of yellow goat's beard are linear and grass-like, reaching up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length and 3/4 inches (1.9 cm) in width. They are green, alternate, and exhibit a powdery or waxy film on the undersides. Young leaves have sparse woolly hairs which become hairless as they mature. The tips of the leaves are coiled or curved, narrowing near the base and tapering to a pointed end, which clasps the stem.

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Flower Features

The flowers of yellow goat's beard are solitary with a vibrant yellow color. Each flowerhead measures 1 to 2.5 inches (2.5 to 6.4 cm) in diameter and consists of 16-25 petal rays forming a floret, with the outer florets longer than the inner ones. The petals have truncated tips with 5 small teeth. The surrounding green bracts, numbering eight, are as long or shorter than the petals. Blooming from May to August, these flowers open on sunny mornings and close by noon, forming a thin pod.

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Stem Features

The stem of yellow goat's beard is hairless and erect, covered with a distinct powdery or waxy film. It has a circular cross-section and maintains a smooth and firm texture. The stem is typically green, standing robustly to support the plant. It does not show extensive branching, keeping a singular, straight form. The structural thickness is generally uniform, with measurements typically around 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) in height, making it a notable identifier for the plant.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of yellow goat's beard is characterized by elongated brown achenes, each spanning 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in length. These seeds are crowned with a distinctive pappus comprised of feathery, tannish-white bristles that create a fluffy appearance. Collectively, they form a spherical plume roughly 3 inches (7.6 cm) across, resembling an oversized dandelion head. This puffball structure facilitates wind dispersal, allowing the fruit to sail away and promote self-seeding.

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Key Facts About Yellow goat's beard

Attributes of Yellow goat's beard
Lifespan
Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
60 cm
Spread
25 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
5 cm to 10 cm
Flower Color
Yellow
The Toxicity of Yellow goat's beard
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Scientific Classification of Yellow goat's beard

Family
Daisy
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Species
Yellow goat's beard (Tragopogon pratensis)
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Distribution Map of Yellow goat's beard

Yellow goat's beard is naturally dispersed across a wide region of Europe and extends into parts of Western Asia. In its native range, it thrives in various habitats. Beyond its indigenous territories, yellow goat's beard has been introduced to areas on multiple continents, including North America, Oceania, and the Caucasus region. The plant is also intentionally cultivated, indicating its adaptability to different climatic zones.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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