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Goat's Beard
(Tragopogon pratensis)
Meadow Salsify
In 1597 it was also called Go To Bed At Noone
This is NOT a native plant.
Goat's Beard is another plant that has naturalized after being introduced from Europe. The roots, young stems and base of the lower leaves are used as a cooked vegetable (which is why I guess it got brought here in the first place...).
I found this plant in out habitat the summer of 1999. It was growing along the school wall where it had escaped mowers and gardners. I didn't have a clue what it was, and I could not identify it! The flowers were never there when I was, but I had spotted the giant poof of the seed head. The leaves reminded me of carnations.
I looked through all my wild plant books for a photo and found nothing. It later turned out the flower closes early in the day. I was always looking at it in the afternoon.the flower is yellow and vaguely dandelion looking.
Many months later I was just leafing through a reproduction of Gerard's Herbal, a book published in 1597 (yes, the 1500's) when I spotted the distinctive foliage, seed head and calyx shape. The name it gave is still used as the common name so I could then look it up in my newer books. The illustration is a bit "folky" but it captures the important stuff.
I have found a good line drawing that shows the entire plant is often of more help to identification than a color photo of just the flower. Lots of time flowers are past. The book Weeds in Winter is very useful at that time of year. In fact, while nothing is left of this plant in the winter that particular book mentioned it! I assume the author had trouble identifying it once and thought to spare others the hassle. The line drawing beautifully shows Goat's Beard so you are confident of the match.
Gerard's calls the seed head a "downy Blow-ball like thofe of the Dandelion".
("s" was written "f" back then and for many years after.)
He also suggests it tastes "moft pleafant" when boiled with carrots and parsnips (parfneps...the "s" at the end was just a regular "s").
The seed puffs are almost 4 inches across.
This picture was taken in early June. You can just see a closing flower on the left.
The flower spikes of sage argentea have flopped over and gotten in the photo. White campion is also visible with its little balloon like calyx.
The yellow flower has almost closed up in this photo.
This clearly shows the foliage, slightly bluish green and smooth, similar to a carnation in feel.
Note the long "stem" on the seed, ending in the fuzzy umbrella that will help it fly away.
Study Pointers:
- Look at the plant and figure out why it has the common name of Goat's Beard. You may have to find a photo of a goat as well. I think it isn't exactly clear...but I have my thoughts on it. What are yours?
- Did you notice in the text above why it got the other ancient common name? That one clearly makes sense!
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