Habitat and Range
Goat's Beard commonly grows in disturbed soils and dry areas throughout the Sierra Nevada below 6000 ft. There are only two common species of Goat's Beard. T. porrifolius, commonly known as Oyster Root-pictured above, is the most common of the species and grows widespread throughout California.
Physical Description
This biennial plant can and usually does reach a height of nearly 3 ft tall. The strongly ascending stems rarely branch and produce grass-like leaves that are 6 -14 inches long. The inflorescence is a head, like other Compositae, and contains an involucre or 5-13 phyllaries, or individual bracts of the involucre. These are evident when the flower is in bloom (April to July). The flower stem, or peduncle, gets wider towards the tip. The ligule (petal of each ray flower) is yellow (T. dubius) or purple (T. porrifolius). The fruit or seed complex of this genus is up to 1.5 inches in length and has a white (T. dubius) or brownish (T. porrifolius) pappus. Collectively, they make a blowball that disintegrates in the wind.
Food Uses
The taproot of Goat's Beard species is edible when cooked. The Oyster Root species tastes like oysters and is generally more palatable than the related species which are slightly bitter and tough. The plant was introduced from Europe as a root vegetable.
Medicinal Uses
Some people have reported the positive effects of Tragopogon used as a treatment for gastric disorders and upset stomach.
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