Like its common counterpart Tragopogon pratensis, this flower is one of those which shows only in the morning. The common name for Tragopogon pratensis is Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon so if you leave your botanising until the late afternoon, as we did when looking for this plant, you have to return early next morning because the flower closes up. Sometimes grown in the past for its edible tuberous roots, this plant is a Mediterranean introduction. There are two sub species: the common ssp porrifolius and ssp australis.

Tragopogon porrifolius is dotted around in southern England mostly and is quite common in the south east (London) area and around Gloucester. Records are much fewer in the north of England and rare in Scotland. In Wales records are mostly coastal. It is very rare in Ireland except for a scattering of records in the north.

Roadside verge, Bordeaux, Guernsey 20th June 2004

Added on February 5th 2005, updated 16th February 2012