![Goats Beard (salsify) purple - 4g - Goren Farm Seeds](http://www.goren.co.uk/cdn/shop/products/20200709_101831_{width}x.jpg?v=1620904280)
Tragopogon porrifolius
This amazing flower is the same species as the Common Goat's Beard found in meadows. They come in a range of colours, from yellow to purple.
It needs to germinate in the Autumn to get established and has beautiful closed seed heads. Known as a vegetable plant, the long slender roots can be eaten and taste like oysters.
Stunning in a meadow but, unless it is very lightly managed by grazing animals will struggle to spread. It will, however, grow well in a margin or road verge that is cut once in August.