Common salsify is a biennial that is native to Eurasia, but is well established over temperate North America. It occurs along roadsides and waste areas.  This species is the same as Western salsify, but has purple flowers. It is generally 1 to 3 feet tall, more or less branched, arising from a long taproot. The leaves and stems have a milky juice. Leaves are narrow, up to 12 inches long, gradually tapering from the base to the apex. The flower heads occur at the end of long, hollow peduncles.