Cutleaf Vipergrass, False Salsify,Scorzonera laciniata,Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)

​Found in disturbed soil, roadsides
Seen blooming in May by Highway 84

These dandelion lookalikes are quite common in this area but easily missed because they only open when the sun shines on them, then close after a few hours; from 9am to 11am in my observations. Cutleaf Vipergrass grows to 20 inches tall on a grooved, hollow stem with milky sap. Leaves are narrowly divided and grass-like. The bright yellow flowers are almost one inch across and have long, brown-tipped bracts. Seed heads are also dandelion-like and two inches across. It also looks like a small salsify, hence another common name, False Salsify. Viper Grass is the European name for this plant, so called because the milky sap was believed to be useful to treat snakebites. Because of its recent introduction to North America there is no traditional Native American use for the plant but it is used in folk medicine in southern Europe and Asia in the therapy of arteriosclerosis, kidney disorders, wounds, rheumatism, and also in antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and antinociceptive medications. Source.

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