Dandelion o’clock

So many around at the moment. As well as being used - folklorically, at least - to tell the time, the number of blows taken to dislodge the seeds are also used to see if he/she loves me or not, and blowing them can carry thoughts to a loved one.

Better than all that, though, according to H W Gibson in Camping for Boys:

”The dandelion is an excellent barometer, one of the commonest and most reliable. It is when the blooms have seeded and are in the fluffy, feathery condition that its weather prophet facilities come to the fore. In fine weather the ball extends to the full, but when rain approaches, it shuts like an umbrella. If the weather is inclined to be showery it keeps shut all the time, only opening when the danger from the wet is past."