Goat's beard (Tragopogon sp.) seed-head dispersing seed. This dandelion-like plant is also known as salsify or Johnny-go-to-bed-at-noon plant. The flowers, which are either yellow or purple depending on the species, become a round seed- head (centre left) in midsummer. Each individual seed is attached to a parachute of fine hairs, known as a pappus (centre right), which is lifted from the seed-head and carried away by the wind. This type of seed dispersal is typical of the Asteraceae (formerly Compositae) family of plants to which the goat's beard belongs.