Tragopogon pratensis Goat's-beard

Goat's-beard is a tall yellow-flowered annual or perennial composite of grassy verges, meadows and sand dunes.  The large, dandelion-like inflorescence closes up in the afternoon (see photos) and the species is sometimes known as 'Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon'. The impressive seed head, or clock, is larger and more angular than that of Dandelion and the stems, which have a milky latex, are sheathed by linear, grass-like leaves. Two subspecies of Goat's-beard occur in our area, but Tragopogon pratensis ssp minor, which is native, is the one most commonly encountered. It is largely lowland and most frequently recorded from coastal areas, typically on calcareous soils. It is rarely encountered in the uplands of West Glamorgan.  Tragopogon pratensis ssp pratensis is a neophyte from continental Europe and is a much larger plant. It is rarely recorded in our area and is most likely to be introduced accidently with seed. 

Native