Tragopogon dubius is a species of salsify native to southern and central Europe and western Asia and found as far north and west as northern France. Because western salsify is a widespread plant, it has a large number of alternative common names.
Like most salsifies, the western salsify grows as an annual or occasionally biennial forb, reaching a height of typically 20â60 cm but sometimes almost a metre. It grows typically in warm, sheltered spots with moist soil. Its yellow flower head is 4â6 cm in diameter and is likely to be seen in late spring or early summer. Buds are blue-green, tall, and tapered. The inflorescence opens early in the morning and often closes up by late afternoon. Later the plant forms a seed head that resembles that of the dandelions but is distinctly larger. The seeds themselves (known as achenes) are 2â4 cm long but featherweight, weighing about 8 mg each on average. It can be invasive in North America.