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The yellow salsify (Tragopogon dubius) belongs to Asteraceae (the Aster family). It is an annual or occasionally biennial herb that is native to southern and central Europe and western Asia. It has been introduced into North America where it has become widespread nowadays. This herb grows in disturbed areas, open forests, shrublands, and grasslands, and it can reach 30-90 cm in height. The yellow flower-heads, about 5 cm in diameter bloom in late spring or early summer. The flowers open early in the morning and often close up by late afternoon. After flowering, it forms a seed head that resembles that of the dandelions but is distinctly larger. It is quite similar to the Goat's beard (Tragopogon pratensis), but the bracts which show behind the flower, a distinctive feature of salsifies, are longer and more noticeable.
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