Practical
Plants

Tragopogon pratensis

Goat's Beard

an annual or perennial member of the Tragopogon genus in the family Compositae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual, perennial
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root - raw or cooked[5][16][2][13][1]. The roots have a sweet flavour due to their inulin content[15]. The young roots can be eaten raw whilst older roots are best cooked like parsnips or salsify[16]. They are often blanched before use[4]. Young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked[5][12][2][13][14][4]. They can be added to mixed salads or used in soups etc[15][16]. The leaves are best used as they come into growth in the spring[16]. The flowering stem, including the buds, is cooked and served like asparagus[4].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Goat's beard is considered to be a useful remedy for the liver and gallbladder[10]. It appears to have a detoxifying effect and may stimulate the appetite and digestion. Its high inulin content makes this herb a useful food for diabetics since inulin is a nutrient made of fructose rather than glucose units and therefore does not raise blood sugar levels[10]. The root is astringent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, nutritive and stomachic[15][7]. A syrup made from the root gives great relief in cases of obstinate coughs and bronchitis[15]. A decoction of the root is given in the treatment of heartburn, loss of appetite and disorders of the breast or liver[9]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[15]. The fresh juice of young plants is said to be a good dissolver of bile, relieving the stomach without side effects[11].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An infusion of the petals is used to clear the skin and lighten freckles[15]. A distilled water made from the plant is used in cleansing lotions for dry skins[15].

Product or use
Cosmetic

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Caucasus, Siberia, Iran.
Habitat
Meadows, pastures, dunes, waysides and waste places[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in situ. Make sure to water the seed in if the weather is dry.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in ordinary garden soils, including heavy clays[6]. Goat's beard was formerly cultivated as a vegetable, though it has now fallen into disuse[5][11]. Grows well in the summer meadow[8]. The flowers open at daybreak and close before noon[11].

References

  1. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

  2. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩1↩2

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  7. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  8. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  9. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  10. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  11. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩

  13. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  14. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

  15. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  16. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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