Jack Go To Bed At Noon
Last year this rather exotic looking flower appeared on mine and several other allotments for the first time. Having been stumped (again) by Mr Allotment Warden as to its identity, I rushed home to find out what it was. It's salsify, aka the marvellous Jack Go To Bed At Noon - named as such because its flowers always close by midday. Here you can see both open and closed flowers - making it seem even more exotic and alien than in the first picture. I think this must be the cultivated version because the flower in my Francis Rose Wild Flower Key looks exactly the same in form, but is bright yellow in colour and called meadow salsify . Its other common name is Goatsbeard, which must be a nod to the fantastic dandelion-like clock which forms the seed head. With 'parachutes' like those shown above, who knows how far our plotted plants came from. I rather like the photographic dissection of the seedhead found in this link . Salsify is edible: its lateral shoots and fl
If I'd had known that you were doing the washing...on the other hand perhaps not!
ReplyDeleteHow about ironing?
Shhhhhhhh we'll all curse the rest of the year if we keep on about warm February... ;)
ReplyDeleteWould it be okay if I sent my laundry to you until it warmed up here?
ReplyDeleteThat made me totally envious ... I was jumping up and down because I saw puddles today... water for the first time since when, um, I think November. Or was it October? Anyway, it's been a long time! I
Flighty - you should see my other wash basket and you'd realise I don't 'do' ironing that well!
ReplyDeletePaul & Melanie - oops, sorry. Right you are then!
Kate - you're welcome to send it, but it might just stay there in a heap in the corner. Puddles - hey that's quite a step forward isn't it? :)
Oh what a difference it makes when the washing can be dried outside in the winter!
ReplyDeleteMarvellous, it is a shame you live so far away, I would invite you round to do mine! x
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely isn't it Starnitesky - I particularly love that fresh smell!
ReplyDeleteLouise - I'm not a Domestic Goddess I'm afraid :(