Tragopogon pratensis - Goat's-beard, Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon, Meadow Salsify

Tragopogon pratensis Goat's-beard Distinctive plant. Whole plant is grey-green and glabrous. Stem to 70cm with one capitulum. The leaves are long, tapering to a point. They are channelled and clasp the stem. The leaves become smaller up the stem. There is one line of phyllaries which are long, thin and pointed and usually longer than the ligules. The achenes are long and thin with a beak equal in length and long feathery pappus making a spectacular head.

There are two subspecies T. pratensis subspecies minor which is much commoner in vc77 has bright yellow flowers only about half as long as the phyllaries which have a clear purple border. T. pratensis subspecies pratensis has paler yellow flowers ± as long as the phyllaries which have a more indistinct border.