Taxonomy

Tragopogon porrifolius L., Sp. Pl. 2: 789. 1753.

Common name

Salsify, purple salsify, oyster plant, vegetable oyster, Jerusalem star, goatsbeard

Description

Propagule or dispersal unit is the fruit with pappus. Fertile part 10-15 mm long, 1-2.5 mm wide, in side view mostly +/- equal thickness (cylindrical), widest in upper part (obovoid), widest in lower part (ovoid) or widest in the middle, +/- straight or conspicuously curved, the upper (apical) end narrowing, in cross-section round (terete) or angular (prismatic) (by misinterpretation), basal scar (carpopodium) inconspicuous and undifferentiated, off to the side (oblique) or at least asymmetric, beak (=thinner sterile stalk between seed and pappus) present, beak length 12-20 mm, wings absent, fruit surface light brown or straw or dark brown, smooth (except at cellular level), with no hairs (glabrous), thickened margin absent, longitudinal ribs present, 5-10, their surfaces smooth or toothed, serrated or scale-like, with no hairs (glabrous).

Pappus type bristles / hairs, pappus elements all +/- similar, up to 15-30 mm long, in several rows, pappus elements numerous, persistent (by misinterpretation) or falling off as a whole, the individual bristles feathery (plumose) along most of length, +/- equal width along length, brown.

Notes: The pappus breaks off easily at the base, so it may be missing. The two species of Tragopogon included in this key have very similar fruits and are hard to separate. It appears that Tragopogon dubius may have ten or more longitudinal ribs whereas Tragopogon porrifolius has less, but the number of ribs can also be hard to define especially on the smoother fruits.

Ecology

Biennial herb, fruit wind-dispersed. Mediterranean to temperate regions. Found on grasslands, roadsides, cliffs, urban areas.

Native range

Mediterranean.

Introduced range

United States, Australia, New Zealand.

Past interceptions (Australia): origins

Canada.

Other or unidentified species of the genus also from Germany, China.

Past interceptions (Australia): commodities

Used machinery and parts.

Other or unidentified species of the genus also in/on steel, new vehicles.