Goatsbeard / Salsify hybrid.
A week ago Barny Acheson reported a brown petalled flower of Salsify growing at the east end of the new flood bank at Rye Harbour, but it was only today that I also found it! It may be the hybrid Tragopogon × mirabilis a cross between Salsify Tragopogon porrifolius and Goatsbeard T. pratensis. The hybrid was known from the Nature Reserve 15 years ago until sea defence improvements destroyed the site, so it’s good to see it back on a new sea defence structure. Be aware that both species and the hybrid only flower in the mornings - another name for Goatsbeard is Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon. Click here for more info.