SafePlants

Agoseris apargioides - Woolly Goat Chicory

Agoseris apargioides, commonly known as Woolly Goat Chicory or Seaside Dandelion, is a perennial herb within the genus Agoseris. Note: Agoseris was the Greek name for a related plant "goat chicory".

Considerations for Pets

• The plant is described as "slightly woolly," referring to the flower stem.

Considerations for Children

• The plant is described as "slightly woolly," referring to the flower stem.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Scientific Name: Agoseris apargioides (Less.) Greene
• Common Name: Woolly Goat Chicory, Seaside Dandelion
• Synonyms: The text mentions various subordinate taxa which are considered synonyms or varieties, including Agoseris apargioides var. eastwoodiae (Fedde) Munz and Agoseris apargioides var. maritima (Sheldon) Q. Jones ex Cronquist.

Distribution and Habitat

• The text mentions the plant's presence in California.
• It's also referred to as "seaside agoseris" or "seaside dandelion," suggesting a coastal habitat.

Morphological Characteristics

• Agoseris apargioides is described as a forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
• It is a perennial plant, typically about fifteen inches tall.
• It has a slender, slightly woolly flower-stem.
• It has smooth bluish-green leaves, forming a cluster.

Quirky Facts

• One source jokingly states they can remember the names and lineage of 140 goats but struggle with plant names.

Further Information

• Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Agoseris apargioides.
• The California Academy of Sciences also holds information about this species.
• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides information about the plant.