Tragopogon pratensis
Asteraceae
Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon, Meadow Salsify
May to August
It is found throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Goat's-beard
It grows in tall grassland in hay meadows, pastures, field
margins, dunes, and waste ground.
Goat’s-beard is a native, annual or perennial, herb growing
up to 75cm.
The flowerheads (capitula) are bright yellow and up to
3cm across.
The pointed bracts (phyllares) are much longer than
the ligules of the flowers.
The yellow linear appendages on the stamens are
striking features.
The capitulum opens at dawn and closes up around
mid-day, hence the name Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon.
The pappus is feathery and forms a large conspicuous
clock.
The seeds are achenes.
Leaves are grass-like, the only dandelion-type flower in
the UK to have them like this.
The flower stems and the phyllaries enclosing the
capitulum are hairless.
Like its cultivated relative, Salsify, parts of the plant
have culinary and medicinal uses.
See Botanical.com - A Modern Herbal for a link to
more information.
Previous page: Grass Vetchling
Next page: Great Forget-me-not
Goat's-beard in rough grassland
Capitulum - phyllaries longer than ligules
Close-up of openning florets - stamens with appendages
Close-up of ligules and stamens with appendages
Side view of capitulum -- bracts (phyllaries)
Closed capitulum
Seed clock and closed capitulum
Seeds (ackenes) with pappuses
Grass-like leaves
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