Tragopogon porrifolius - Salsify
Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Asterales - Family: Asteraceae
The roots of this plant are tuberous and can be eaten, as can the young green shoots.
Distribution and flowering times
Salsify, which blooms from the end of March until the begining of June, is found in the Mediterranean region although, curiously, not in Portugal. The plants shown on this page were photographed in Crete in early April.
Habitat
This plant can be found on roadsides and in abandoned farmland. After it has finished flowering it produces a large, round seed head and so is still easily recognisable.
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