Western Salsify (Tragopogon dubius)

Western Salsify, Rock Canyon Trail, Provo; David Kenison, 5/21/14 (click to enlarge)

Also known as the yellow salsify, wild oysterplant, goatsbeard, western goat's beard, yellow goat's beard, etc.  From the sunflower family (Asteraceae).

This flower is native to southern and central Europe and western Asia.  After being introduced to the North America, it spread rapidly and is now found throughout most of the US and Canada.  It is distinguished from the common salsify (T. porrifolius) that is generally purple, and the meadow salsify (T. pratensis) that is yellow but lacks the distinctive protruding green bracts behind the yellow blossom.

The salsify bloom typically opens in the morning after dawn, and often closes up by late afternoon.  The bright yellow blooms are 1-2" in diameter.

Mature plants form a seed head similar to the familiar dandelion head but much larger (see photo below). The scientific genus name Tragopogon means "goat beard" (hence one of the plant's nicknames) in reference to the bristly seed structure.

The root and bud of the western salsify can be eaten, though other varieties of salsify are more flavorful. The root has a taste some people find reminiscent of oysters, from which the plant derives its alternative name of oysterplant.

The following photographs were taken by the author in the foothills of Utah Valley in 2013 and 2014. They show the view of the plant with leaves and stalk; a closeup of the blossom; and the seedhead. Click to view detail.

Additional links for the Western Salsify:
USDA information
Rocky Mountain Flora