Young shoots and roots of Meadow Salsify can be used in diabetic salads.

Western Salsify is quite similar to the generally commoner Meadow Salsify, T. pratensis, but the bracts which show behind the flower, a distinctive feature of salsifies, are longer and more noticeable.

Although not particularly closely related to Meadow Salsify or the Common Salsify or Oyster Plant (T. porrifolius), the Western Salsify hybridises readily with both, and in North America its hybrids have given rise to the new alloploid hybrid species T. mirus and T. miscellus.

The flowers are like that of Goatsbeard Tragopogon pratensis, but are larger and dull purple, 30-50mm across.

The achenes are smooth ribbed, beakless, with similar pappus to Goats Beard Tragopogon pratensis.

It differs from Goats Beard, Tragopogon pratensis, in that it has short, pale green bracts, whereas in Goats Beard they are long and pointed.

The host plants are in the Asteraceae family, and include Arctium lappa, Scorzonera humilis, Taraxacum officinale, Tragopogon pratensis and Cirsium species (including Cirsium arvense and Cirsium vulgare).