Tragopogon pratensis

'Goat’s-beard'

[Ex. Co. Durham, England]

Asteraceae: annual or short lived perennial growing to 0.6 m (2ft), hardy to zone 3, similar in appearance to a tall, stately dandelion but with leaves present on the stem and un-toothed linear lanceolate lower leaves. Its most characteristic feature of are the long, pointed sepal-like bracts surrounding the floral disc which draw in to close the flower head by late morning. Found in Meadows, pastures, dunes, waysides and waste places, Europe, including Britain, from Scandinavia south and east to Spain, Caucasus, and Siberia, Iran.

USES:

The roots can be eaten either raw or cooked, the roots have a sweet flavour due to their inulin content, the young roots can be eaten raw whilst older roots are best cooked like parsnips or salsify, also the flowering stem, including the buds, can be cooked and served like asparagus.

Goat's beard is considered to be a useful remedy for the liver and gallbladder, 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. The root is astringent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, nutritive and stomachic. A syrup made from the root gives great relief in cases of obstinate coughs and bronchitis. A decoction of the root is given in the treatment of heartburn, loss of appetite and disorders of the breast or liver. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seed from autumn to spring in situ. Full sun, well-drained soil.

HARVESTED: 2023*

APPROX. 50+ SEEDS