June Sunshine in the Shade of the Morning

A Goatsbeard, fresh and perfect in bloom, awaits the early June day to burst into full splendor.  This wildflower gets its name from the way it goes to seed, much like a dandelion only much better.

Yellow Goatsbeard

The first time I identified Goatsbeard by referencing this tall yellow wildflower in my guidebook I wondered how this flower got it's name. It didn't resemble a goats beard to me!

Then I walked by the same flower a couple of weeks later and figured it out when I saw how the flower goes to seed.  The seed head is a complete sphere and is at least as big as fist. It is quite beautiful.

This flower was introduced to Indiana from Europe long ago and is edible. The roots supposedly taste like oysters. Don't go looking for the flowers much past noon though, since the flowers shut down about that time. You can find these blooming right now in Indiana in open areas and fields.