Salsify blooms in May-June and the timing can vary every year, and we have been keeping an eye on the prairie for the optimal time to make a removal effort during the bloom before seeds spread. We hope you are able to join us for this opportunity on Thursday, May 26th 9-11am to help remove Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius), a weed that we are actively managing as it is a threat to prairie habitat.
Willamalane staff will provide instructions on identification and removal of Salsify, along with work gloves. The removal work is done by hand pulling it up from the taproot, similar to a dandelion, so this opportunity could be a bit more of a workout compared to ivy removal. Also, Salsify seed heads still develop after it is pulled, so the plant needs to be bagged up and removed (as opposed to leaving onsite as we typically do with ivy). Luckily, it isn’t thorny or irritating to handle! No hand tools are needed!
Please park in the parking area in front the Tom Seth House. Be sure to dress in long pants and long sleeves, wear closed toe shoes, and bring your own snacks and water.
You can refer to this link for photos to identify the plant and for more information. Purple Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius) · iNaturalist so as not to confuse this plant with any other species. It is important not to confuse Salsify for Camas, as they are both purple, around the same height, and can grow in similar sites around the same time. It is fairly easy to distinguish, but want to be sure to let you know! Please see this link for photos to identify Camas species like Small Camas (Camassia quamash) (inaturalist.org)
