16 Nebraskaland • April 2019
PHOTO
BY
CHRIS
HELZER
IN THE FIELD
GOATSBEARD
By Chris Helzer
Goatsbeard, aka western salsify (Tragopogon dubius), was
introduced to North America from Europe and Asia and has
spread across most of the continent. However, unlike some
introduced species, goatsbeard has not become an invasive
species that exerts its dominance by pushing other plants
out of the way. For the most part, goatsbeard has instead
inserted itself gracefully into the prairies and other natural
areas of Nebraska, adding attractive little highlights to our
landscapes.
As a biennial, goatsbeard spends its first year of life
as a grass-like rosette of leaves and blends well into its
surroundings. In its second season, however, it produces
spectacular yellow blossoms about the time spring is
transitioning to summer. Despite the beauty of its flowers,
goatsbeard is probably most recognizable to Nebraskans
when it produces seed. Anyone who spends much time
outdoors is surely familiar with its fist-sized dandelion-style
seedheads, and many people reading this have probably
picked one and blown the seeds into the air.
Regardless if blown by wind or people, those seeds can
travel long distances, allowing goatsbeard to spread itself
far and wide. Goatsbeard is not a strong competitor with
most perennial plants, however, so it grows best where
its seeds can land on a patch of bare soil where nearby
plants are absent or weakened by drought, grazing or other
disturbances. While it is non-native and often characterized
as a weed, goatsbeard is almost never truly problematic;
it's just kind of a bonus wildflower, introduced for our
enjoyment.
