104. MEADOW SALSIFYSunflower Family
Tragopogon pratensis
This interesting plant, known also as Oyster Plant, has been naturalized from Europe and is now quite common in the West. It has a smooth, stout hollow stem about 2 feet tall, rather dark-green, smooth leaves clasping at the base, and handsome flowers from 2 to 4 inches across. The flowers open early in the morning, closing at midday, to remain closed until the next morning.
Meadow Salsify is most commonly found along the roadways or in other places where the native soil has been disturbed.
See [Figure 105] for description of the seed of this flower.
Meadow Salsify
105. MEADOW SALSIFYSunflower Family
Tragopogon pratensis
This habitat view of the Meadow Salsify illustrates one of the important ways in which plants scatter their seeds about. As the flower matures into seeds in a conspicuous and very large, dandelion-like head, each seed is equipped with a perfect parachute of silky fibers. Winds often sweep these flight-equipped seeds for many miles and result in wide dissemination of this species, which was introduced into this country from Europe not very long ago.
The seeds of many plants are scattered about in various ways—some by wind, others by water and many by the birds and animals.
