Re: Native dandelions?

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• To: m*@ucdavis.edu
• Subject: Re: Native dandelions?
• From: W* &* C* R* <r*@best.com>
• Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 22:23:19 -0700

Barry et al,

I *think* the plant you're describing is salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius).
I've seen it growing up in the lower Sierra ranges (near Sonora, CA), as
well as in the midwest (Iowa), where my grandmother sprayed the seedheads
with hairspray or something to keep them from flying apart and used them in
flower arrangements.

One of my wildflower books (Peterson Field Guide to Pacific States
Wildflowers--very good book!) lists it as an alien plant, so I'm afraid you
can't think of it as a native. From what I've seen of it, it tends to self
seed with a passion, so I'm not sure bringing it into your garden would be
a good idea anyway.

I'm not sure, but I think there's an edible salsify...anyone know if this
is it, or if I'm completely off base on this guess? Supposed to taste like
oysters...the cooked roots, I mean.

Cheryl
(south of San Francisco in Silicon Valley)

--------------------------
Wayne & Cheryl Renshaw
renshaw@best.com

http://www.best.com/~renshaw
--------------------------

• References:
  • Native dandelions?
    • From: b* (* W*

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