Goatsbeard?

[Pete Collins]

Is this Goatsbeard? I saw it yesterday in a chalky area.

Thanks,

Pete

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Pete.

Yep, I'd say Goatsbeard.

[leifus]

Yes it's definately goat's-beard. This is one of my favourite flowers and there are about 20 along my road and in the field behind my house, although I only discovered them this year. They have a huge clock and some of ours in the field are already at the 'clock stage'. This is a picture I took:

[Pete Collins]

Thanks Deer Stalker and leifus!

I guess I'll have to go back another time and try to photograph it when it's open. As far as I could see it was the only one there.

[leifus]

That's ok. Note that they are only out in the morning and close up towards midday. I find that any time between 9-11am is the best time to photograph them open. Oh and make sure it's sunny as well because if it is overcast then they close up as well. Good luck

[Pete Collins]

I took the photos at 10.26am - it must have been slightly overcast then! Thanks for that info, I'll remember it next time I go that way.

[steve_nova]

Its one of my favourite plants too. Loads of it around me. Unusual too for its parrallel veined leaves that sheath the stems. It makes it look more like a monocot and hard to see especially when not in flower.

[Jez]

Jack Go To Bed At Noon is one it's vernacular names as it only seems to flower in the morning along with Salsify, a very similar plant with purple petals.

[aeshna5]

Yes Goatsbeard, the commoner sub-species, Tragopogon pratensis ssp. minor.

[Pete Collins]

Thanks for all your comments!

I'd not seen it before, but I'll look out for it again over the next few weeks. Going by my books, I think it flowers until the middle of August.