Goat's-beard, Tragopogon pratensis

Common Name: Goat's-beard

Tragopogon pratensis, more commonly known as Goat's-beard, is an annual or short lived perennial. A medium to tall plant with an erect stem, usually unbranched, the leaves linear lanceolate, channelled, the stem leaves clasping and tapered to a fine point. The flowerheads are bright yellow, 18 to 40 mm in width, with flower bracts that are usually twice as long as the rays, sometimes with pale reddish margin.

Fruit is a large off-white 'clock'. Flowers open only prior to 1 pm. Usually found in rough grassy places in June and July. Common throughout England, scarcer in parts of Scotland and Wales. The most common form in Britain is ssp. Minor.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.