I’m a sucker for dandelions.  I know, they’re the scourge of manicured yards everywhere, but move beyond that boring green sheet of sameness and let a splash of color here and there add some excitement to your lawn.

When they go to seed, it’s like a galaxy full of stars.  One breath is all it takes… to ruin that yawn-inducing disaster you call a landscape.

Oh, but I said this ain’t yer daddy’s dandelion.  Wanna see why?

That’s my grimy paw to give you size comparison.  As seed heads go, this one is bigger than a baseball.  Imagine the mayhem that could cause in your tedious little St. Augustine canvas.

But what creates a seed head that large?

Western salsify (Tragopogon dubius).  Mighty purty, ain’t it?

The flowers are like dandelions on steroids.  Huge burning stars of color that stand waist high.

[all photos from White Rock Lake]