Tragopogon L.

2 species naturalized Aust.; all states and territories except NT

*Tragopogon porrifolius L.

Glabrous biennial up to 1 m high, with a long taproot. Leaves linear, stem-clasping, subulate, up to 30 cm long. Heads solitary on naked peduncles which are swollen and hollow towards the summit. Involucre 3–4 cm diam.; bracts herbaceous, in 1 row. Florets all ligulate; rays violet. Cypselas fusiform. 10–12 mm long, with a beak longer than the body of the cypsela. Pappus of plumose hairs 2 cm long with soft interwoven barbs. Widespread. Weed of roadsides and waste places. Introd. from Europe. Fl. spring–summer. Salsify