This old-world species is an invader of waste places and roadside cuts. Its rapid spread in this country is due in part to the light, dandelion-like seeds which are carried great distances by the wind. The delicate fibers at the top of each seed act much like a parachute. These course herbs grow from thick biennial taproots, which in a related species, furnish the familiar salsify or vegetable oyster. When stems or leaves are broken, a milky juice is exuded. Tragopogon comes from two Greek words meaning "goat" and "beard," presumably referring to the conspicuous pappus at the top of the fruit. {Plants of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks by Richard J. Shaw pg 74}

Yellowstone Wildflowers link (this is an Adobe pdf file).

I n d e x
Accessibility	Earthquakes	Maps	Video Page
Address	Email	Newspaper	Visitor Centers
Adult Programs	Entrances	Old Faithful Live WebCam	Visitor Stats
Amphibians	Entrance Fees	Pets	Volcano Observatory
Animals	Fall Closure	Phone Numbers	Waterfalls
Backcountry	Fish	Picnic Areas	Weather
Bear Management	Fishing Fees	Ranger Led Activities	WebCams
Bear Sightings	Fishing Regulations	Reptiles	Wildflowers
Biking	Getting Here	Reunions	Winter Closing
Boating	Hiking	Rivers, Creeks & Streams	Winter Opening
Books	History	Roads	Winter Weather Reports
Butterflies	Junior Ranger Program	Schedule	Wolf Project
Camping	Lakes	Search Page	Wolf Sightings
Campground Maps	Location	Spring Opening	Wolverine Help
Challenges	Lodging	Star Talks	Yellowstone ~ the Name
Chat Page	Lynx Help	Trip Planner pdf	Young Scientist
Clinics / Medical	Mammal List	Trip Reports	Youth Conservation Corps