Tragopogon L.

Ghazanfar, S. A., Edmondson, J. R. & Hind, D. J. N. (Eds). (2019). Flora of Iraq, Volume 6: Compositae.Kew Publishing

Morphology General Habit

Erect annual,  biennial  or  perennial  herbs.  Leaves  simple,  entire,  linear  or  lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, parallel-veined, sessile, usually ± expanded and subamplexicaul at tip

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Capitulum

Capitula homogamous, ligulate, solitary on ± elongate pedicels which may be ± incrassate below capitula; phyllaries biseriate, all ± equal, lengthening in fruit; receptacle  naked

Morphology Leaves Ligules

Ligules purplish to yellowish or more rarely white, with a ring of hairs where ray joins tube, outer corollas, if yellow, frequently with dark lines dorsally or ± purplish-suffused

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Achenes narrowly fusiform, glabrous, (5–)10-ribbed, outer achenes with ribs ± scaly or muricate and 5 sometimes expanded into keels or wings, inner achenes less muricate or smooth, beak long and slender to very short, when long commonly ± expanded above, with an annulus of lanate hairs below pappus; pappus homomorphic, setae plumose, pinnnulae intertwined, dingy.

Distribution

About 110 species in Europe, temperate Asia and N Africa, some widely introduced elsewhere in the World; 8 species are known from Iraq,

Etymology

Tragopogon (from the Gr. τσαγος, tragos, a goat, πογον, pogon, a beard – no doubt referring to the conspicuous pappus). Goat’s Beard (Engl.), DHANAB AL-FARAS (“Mare’s Tail”, Ir., Guest, 1933).