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Exploding "fireworks"

I could not believe my eyes when I saw this goatsbeard (Tragopogon dubius or western salsify) plant growing on our acreage! I love experimenting with the seedheads!!

 

Tragopogon dubius (western salsify, western goat's-beard, wild oysterplant, yellow salsify, yellow goat's beard, goat's beard, goatsbeard, common salsify, salsify) [...] has been introduced into North America where it has become widespread, being reported from all the continental United States except for a few in the far south-east, and all provinces of Canada except Newfoundland and the northern territories.

 

Like most salsifies, the Western Salsify grows as an annual or occasionally biennial forb, reaching a height of typically 20-60 cm but sometimes almost a metre. It grows typically in warm, sheltered spots with moist soil. Its yellow flower is 4-6 cm in diameter and is likely to be seen in late spring or early summer. The flowers open early in the morning and often close up by late afternoon. Later the plant forms a seed head that resembles that of the dandelions but is distinctly larger. The seeds themselves (known as achenes) are 2-4 cm long but featherweight, weighing about 8 mg each on average. [...]

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragopogon_dubius

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Uploaded on July 17, 2014
Taken on July 16, 2014