Goat's-Beard
by Greg Reed
Title
Goat's-Beard
Artist
Greg Reed
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Goat's-Beard
Tragopogon pratensis (common names Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon,[1] meadow salsify, showy goat's-beard or meadow goat's-beard) is a biennial plant in the Asteraceae family, distributed across Europe and North America, commonly growing in fields (hence its name) and on roadsides. It is found in North America from southern Ontario to Massachusetts; most of England; on the eastern and southern edges of Scotland; and central Ireland but not the coastal edges.
It flowers between June and October and its flowers have a diameter of 3–5 cm. The root and buds are edible, and it has a milky latex.
Description
It grows 30 to 100 cm tall.
It differs from viper's-grass (Scorzonera humilis) in that Viper's-grass has short, pale green bracts, whereas in Goat's-beard they are long and pointed.
The lower leaves are 10 to 30 cm long, lanceolate, keeled lengthwise, grey-green, pointed, hairless, with a white midrib. The upper leaves are shorter and more erect. It is the only United Kingdom dandelion type flower with grass like leaves.[2]
The flower heads are 5 cm wide. They only open in the morning sunshine, hence the name 'Jack go to bed at noon'.
The achenes are rough, long beaked pappus radiating outwards interwoven like a spider's web of fine white side hairs (referred to as a "Blowball").[3]
Usage
Young shoots and roots of meadow salsify can be used in diabetic salads.
In Armenia, rural kids make bubble gum from the juice of meadow salsify. For this purpose, when milky juice is released from the torn stems it is collected on the walls of a glass and dried.
Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragopogon_pratensis
Uploaded
March 4th, 2023
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Comments (11)
Allison Griffin
Absolutely beautiful detail and whispery effect. The colors are magical, Greg! voted.
Gary F Richards
Spectacular Goat’s Beard composition, lighting, shading, colors and artwork! Congratulations on your very deserving features! F/L
Luther Fine Art
Congratulations! Your camera art has been nominated as a Special Feature by a fellow artist Camera Art member for your superb art in Camera Art Group!! You are invited to post your art in the "Special Feature Archive Discussion" in the Camera Art group. Please share the love by nominating a fellow artist whose work is in Camera Art Group. You can do that in the specific "SPECIAL FEATURES NOMINATIONS - VOL 8” discussion in the Camera Art Group.
Taphath Foose
Beautiful work, Greg!!! CONGRATULATIONS, your work is featured in "Your Best Work"! I invite you to place it in the group's "Featured Image Archive" discussion thread and any other thread that is fitting!! 😊
Holly April Harris
Beautiful macro! I am very pleased to feature your wonderful artwork in the ‘Appalachia America’ group! Please add it to the “2023 First Quarter Featured Images Collection” thread in the discussions area to record and exhibit your image amongst the best in the group. Thank you! 3/8/23