Asteraceae

Tragopogon porrifolius

Purple Salsify

Erect biennial. Stems branched, wider near flower buds, producing sticky white sap. Leaves 8–15 in. long, narrow, waxy blue at maturity, clasping stem. Flowers held in long triangle of 1–2 in. green bracts; when open, bracts are longer than the purple ray flowers. This European native has spread throughout Pacific states in moist habitats. Not as common as yellow salsify, T. dubius, and grows in damper places.

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: All Spring And Summer
• Life Cycle: Biennial
• Height: 16--40 inches
• Habitat: Meadow, Vernal Wet, Coastal, Bog/Fen/Wetland
• Found In: Mt. Rainier Np, Olympic Np, N Cascades Np
• Native: No