Tragopodon
Family: Asteraceae
English: Goatsbeard
Theophrastus named it "Goat's beard". Dioscurides named it "Hair-do" on account of the arrangement of its leaves.
The tragopogons or "lagohorta / hare-greens" are very common in Greece, occurring in 8 different species (Tragopogon porrifolius, T. hybridus, T. lassithicus) on mountainous and flat regions. They are endemic to Crete and bear yellow flowers. It root is stout and milky white.
Leaves are hairy, oblong and lance-shaped. Blooms are usually mauve or yellow-green borne at end of milk secreting stems that have a sweat taste and can be consumed raw. It blossoms from March to June.
Its leaves and tender stems are collected and mixed with other edible wild greens.
In popular medicine the juice of this plant is said to sooth stomach aches and is good for the gallbladder.
Popular Greek names:
"Kalakatsouna", "Pegounitis", "Skoulos", "Hare's beard".
