Goatsbeard

Have you ever been out walking and spotted what looks like a particulalrly large Dandelion clock? Chances are, you've spotted Goatsbeard (Tragopogon pratensis).

It's also known as Jacob's Flower, and Jack-go-to-bed-at-Noon because its broad, yellow flowers – sometimes as wide as four inches – close by noon. More commonly it's known as Meadow Salsify (ponounced 'sol-see-fee'). It flowers between June and October and its flowers look very Dandelion-like. 

The root and flower buds are edible. In fact, the root can be cooked and eaten like potatoes and tastes, bizarrely, rather like oysters. Hence another of its names - Oyster Root. Commercial food cultivars - Garden Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius) are available. 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.