Tragopogon porrifolius
Salsify, oyster plant, Oyster Plant
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Tragopogon porrifolius (Salsify) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive purple ligules and brown pappus.
Salsify is a naturalized biennial found in northwestern California, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, Central Valley, central and southern coastal regions, inner North Coast Ranges, desert areas at elevations below 1,300 meters in disturbed places. Flowering from March to November, this plant produces distinctive purple ligule flowers on stalks that widen dramatically toward the flower head. Growing 40 to 100 centimeters tall with straight, generally glabrous leaves that extend 20 to 40 centimeters in length, it develops prominent conical flower heads. Its leaves taper to straight tips, creating a slender, upright profile with smooth green surfaces. The mature fruit develops into an impressive seed head 2.5 to 4 centimeters long with a brownish pappus that aids wind dispersal.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinctive purple ligules and brown pappus are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Disturbed places
Elevation: < 1300 m
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Tragopogon porrifolius blooms Mar-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Agoseris: Tragopogon has grass-like leaves that clasp the stem; Agoseris has basal rosettes of broader leaves; vs Taraxacum: Tragopogon grows tall with grass-like stem-clasping leaves; dandelion has only basal leaves in a rosette; vs Uropappus: Tragopogon has single row of bracts extending past petals; Uropappus has shorter overlapping bracts; vs Stebbinsoseris: Tragopogon has tall grass-like leaves clasping stem; Stebbinsoseris has small basal leaves only; vs Allium: Tragopogon flowers close by midday and lack onion smell; Allium stays open and smells like onion
Frequently asked questions
Is Tragopogon porrifolius native to California?
No. Tragopogon porrifolius is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Tragopogon porrifolius bloom?
Tragopogon porrifolius blooms Mar-Nov.
What plant family does Tragopogon porrifolius belong to?
Tragopogon porrifolius is in the Asteraceae family, genus Tragopogon.
What habitat does Tragopogon porrifolius grow in?
Tragopogon porrifolius grows in Common. Disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.