Jack Go To Bed At Noon.

That is the name of this flower so named because the flower will usually close by midday but on a cloudy dull day such as we had today it may stay open.  This is the earliest time in the year I have seen these flower spikes appear - they are from the plant known as salsify.  They are increasingly appearing across the allotment site as they have a large dandelion style seedhead which disperses the seeds far and wide.  I have a number pushing up on my own allotment but not as advanced as this one.  Apparently its roots are edible - its other name is oyster plant.