salsify

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• oyster plant
• purple goatsbeard
• purple salsify
• salsify
• common salsify
• vegetable-oyster

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Tragopogon porrifolius, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Tragopogon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is noted within the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found spanning across Germany and the Czechia-Slovakia region. Its distribution also extends to Southwestern Europe, specifically reaching the Baleares islands. Together, these locations demonstrate the plant's ability to inhabit various European environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tragopogon porrifolius is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse altitudinal gradients, spanning from sea level up to an elevation of 3500 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 1315 m AMSL. This species exhibits a flexible growth pattern, as it is frequently cultivated for its edible roots but is also capable of growing wild in various natural settings. Its ability to colonize environments ranging from 0 m to significant high-altitude elevations suggests a robust ecological plasticity that allows it to thrive across a wide spectrum of topographical and climatic conditions.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1315 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

cultivated for its edible roots, sometimes growing wild

Genetics

The genetics of Tragopogon porrifolius are characterized by a specific karyotype that serves as a fundamental baseline for understanding its evolutionary history and genomic structure. The species possesses a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 12, a trait that distinguishes its chromosomal architecture within the Asteraceae family. This consistent chromosome number provides a stable genetic framework for the plant's reproductive processes and inheritance patterns. Understanding this chromosomal count is essential for studying the species' potential for polyploidy and hybridization, as the base number of 12 dictates the complex genomic reorganizations that can occur during evolutionary divergence or when interacting with related taxa.

Chromosome number :

12

Life history

The life history of Tragopogon porrifolius is characterized by a complex developmental strategy that can be described as biennial, although it may exhibit variable life cycles depending on environmental conditions. As a plant that undergoes seasonal transitions, it functions as a deciduous species, shedding its foliage as part of its natural cycle. Its structural adaptation allows it to occupy different ecological niches through varying life forms; it is classified as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, but it can also be characterized as a therophyte in certain life stages.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tragopogon porrifolius is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. The plant is a self-supporting, terrestrial species that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit epiphytic or parasitic behaviors, maintaining an independent life cycle. In terms of stature, it typically reaches a mean height of approximately 0.87 meters, though individual specimens can vary significantly in size, ranging from a minimum height of 0.3 meters to a maximum of 1.3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.873333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tragopogon porrifolius is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the digestion of organic matter, and it does not function as a nitrogen fixer. The leaf morphology plays a critical role in its resource management, featuring elliptic forms with a mean leaf size of 13.9857 cm². The dimensions of these leaves vary, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 30 cm, while the width remains relatively narrow, ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2 cm. These structural parameters result in a mean leaf width of 1 cm. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 304.3 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its physiological strategy for balancing light interception with water conservation and structural investment.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf size mean:

13.9857 cm²

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width mean:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

304.3 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Tragopogon porrifolius is characterized by a biotic pollination strategy, primarily utilizing insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The flowering period typically commences in April and extends through August, producing distinct violet-colored flowers. This species is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success even under varying environmental conditions. Following fertilization, the plant develops fruits categorized as achenes, which are indehiscent in nature. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 1 cm, though they can reach a maximum length of 4.5 cm and a minimum of 2.5 cm. The resulting seeds are mono-carpous and exhibit a highly consistent length of 11 mm. In terms of mass, the seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0132522 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.005095 g to a maximum of 0.043 g. Dispersal is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are specialized for wind dispersal. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual reproduction through seed production the primary driver of its life cycle.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

violet

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

4.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1 cm

Fruit length min:

2.5 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Monocarpy :

monocarp

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

11 mm

Seed mass max:

0.043 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0132522 g

Seed mass min:

0.005095 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tragopogon porrifolius has 33 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 9,10-EPOXYSTEARIC ACID, ALUMINUM, ARSENIC, CALCIUM, COPPER.

9,10-EPOXYSTEARIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Caoutchouc

1. Dr. Duke

Chlorine-

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

GUM

1. Dr. Duke

INULIN

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Tragopogon porrifolius has 369 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, ACE-Inhibitor, Acarifuge, Acidulant, Alcohol-Dehydrogenase-Inhibitor.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Toxicology reports

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acarifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Alcohol-Dehydrogenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Tragopogon porrifolius has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP

Preparations

Tragopogon porrifolius has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous ethanol by maceration method, aqueous solutions of ethanolic tinctures.

Aqueous ethanol by maceration method

1. Toxicology reports

Aqueous solutions of ethanolic tinctures

1. Biology