Yellow Salsify, Oysterplant, Goat's Beard, Western Salsify, Salsifis majeur,Tragopogon dubius,Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)

Found in meadows and disturbed soil
Seen blooming in June by Hwy 84 in Abiquiu
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From a distance Yellow Salsify looks like a very tall, large-headed, dandelion. It grows to 3 feet tall with grass-like leaves and a hollow stem which oozes a milky sap when broken. The showy flower head can be over 2 inches across with long, narrow bracts extending beyond the petals. Flowers open early in the day and close by early afternoon and may not open at all during cloudy or rainy days. It produces a seed head like a dandelion that can be 4 inches across. For centuries it has been used as both an edible and medicinal plant. It has been used for sore throats, tonsillitis, whooping cough, nosebleeds, urinary tract infections and lung issues.  Also, it is said to lower blood pressure, stimulate hair growth, increase circulation, improve bone density, improve digestion and boost immunity. All parts of the plant are edible and are best eaten when young. The flowers and leaves can be added to soups or salads and the stems eaten like asparagus. The root can be eaten raw or cooked but should be cleaned well and the skin scraped off. Natives Americans chewed the coagulated milky sap like gum. Source.

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