Tragopogon Species, Goat Dandelion, Western Salsify, Yellow Goat's Beard, Yellow Salsify

This is a bad invasive weed. I have succeeded in killing them by cutting them off close to the ground and then putting a large rock on t...Read Moreop of where they were.

Experience positive, so far. Appeared in my yard (which I attempt to keep fairly wild) two years ago. Mostly blooms and quickly dies ba...Read Moreck as per information above but, this year, found one, bordering my concrete driveway, blooming during the second week of September. I love the blooms. In this area they are hard to catch. Seem to bloom mostly in the early morning for just a few hours several days in a row before it goes to seed.

I consider this plant to be a weed. It is pretty aggressive. I admit the seed balls look kind of pretty (like giant dandelions gone to ...Read Moreseed) except that when I see them it reminds me of more work.

I have spent a lot of time trying to get rid of these plants from my yard. I try to pull them just as they begin to flower, but before they go to seed (if you try when they are smaller they break off above the root and come back with about 15 stems per plant). Works best after a rain, or I water them before I pull them. They are a nuisance in the lawn since they grow taller and faster than the grass after a mow, and they will still seed after you pull them so you have to dispose of them right away. The sap will also stain your clothes and nothing will get it out.

This is one of my favorite wild vegetables, and tastes one heck of a lot better than its relative salsify. Young stems/flower buds are e...Read Moredible once steamed. Studies of this species for use as an alternative vegetable crop do exist.

Yes, they are "weedy," but they're terribly difficult to transplant to one's garden. The flowers are quite beautiful, and the seed heads (achenes) are very pretty. When cut, stems release a sticky latex (so be prepared to scrub your fingers).