Tragopogon pratensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, known as Tragopogon pratensis, exhibits a specific distribution across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark. Additionally, its presence extends to the Scandinavian countries of Norway and Sweden. The species is also documented throughout the landscape of Finland. Finally, its geographical range includes the territory of Great Britain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tragopogon pratensis is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environments and a broad altitudinal distribution. It thrives across a wide variety of habitats, including cropfields, meadows, mountains, oldfields, and parks, demonstrating a high tolerance for both disturbed and stable landscapes. This species exhibits a vast elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 4500 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 4350 m AMSL. This expansive vertical distribution allows the plant to inhabit various climatic zones, ranging from lowland agricultural areas to high-altitude montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

4350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

cropfields,meadows,mountains,oldfields,parks

Life history

The life history of Tragopogon pratensis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the substrate during unfavorable conditions. This specific life form, categorized under both hemicryptophyte classifications, ensures that the plant can effectively navigate seasonal environmental changes while maintaining its structural integrity and capacity for regrowth.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tragopogon pratensis is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, functioning as both a herb and a forb. This self-supporting plant is terrestrial in nature, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, and grows independently without parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1.2 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.38 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.383333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tragopogon pratensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, reflecting a standard metabolic approach to carbon fixation typical of many temperate herbaceous species. The plant is strictly non-carnivorous, relying on soil-derived nutrients rather than the capture of prey for its nutritional requirements. Its foliar morphology is defined by highly elongated, narrow leaves, with a mean width of 0.5 cm (a value that remains consistent across minimum and maximum measurements) and a maximum length reaching up to 15 cm. These slender leaves result in a mean leaf size of approximately 16.195 cm², contributing to a specific leaf area (SLA) with a mean value of 259.967 cm²/g, a metric that indicates the plant's strategy for balancing leaf thickness and surface area for light interception and gas exchange.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf size mean:

16.195 cm²

Leaf width mean:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

259.966666666667 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tragopogon pratensis is driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is absent in this species. The flowering period typically commences in May and concludes in July. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. While self-fertilization is present, the reproductive cycle culminates in the production of achenes, which are indehiscent fruits with a mean length of 0.9 cm. The seeds produced exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.0075 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.001 g to a maximum of 0.00667 g. Following maturation, the plant employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing wind to distribute its seeds. Additionally, the species is characterized as a monocarp.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Monocarpy :

monocarp

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00667 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00751691666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.001 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tragopogon pratensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica