Slender salsify
Tragopogon gracilis
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb. It has tufted stems often branched from the base. The stems are 6-20 cm long. The leaves are narrow but they broaden to form sheaths at the base. They are 7.5-20 cm long by 5 mm wide. The flowers occur singly at the ends of branches. The flowers are yellow. The flower heads are 2.5-4 cm across.
There are about 50 Tragopogon species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows between 1500-3500 m altitude in Uttar Pradesh in India. It suits cold arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Asia, Central Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tibet, Uzbekistan
How it is used for food
The young plant is eaten raw. The young fruit heads are eaten.
The leaves are eaten especially by children.
Edible parts
Leaves, root, seedspod
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Daifu, Daira, Diara, Dowajha, Gonja, Gwalhayya, Shabey, Shabiay