Scorzonera

Low salsify ( Scorzonera humilis )

The salsify ( Scorzonera L. ) is a plant genus in the subfamily Cichorioideae within the sunflower family ( Asteraceae). They are widespread in Eurasia. The best-known species of the genus is used as a root vegetable, usually " black root " called Garden salsify ( Scorzonera hispanica).

Description

Black root - types can be annual to perennial herbaceous plants, rarely subshrubs. You can reach depending on the type stature heights of 5 to more than 100 cm. They usually form taproots. The smooth or hairy stems are erect and usually branched. The stalked or sessile leaves are simple to pinnately lobed.

The flower baskets are available individually or together loosely to several. They have a diameter of usually 6 to 12 ( often up to about 16) mm, and contain from 30 to more than 100 florets. The 18 to 30 bracts are in three to more than five rows. The basket bottom is flat. The ray florets are white in color to yellow or purple.

The achenes are whitish to brownish. The pappus consists of 28 to 50 whitish bristles, which are arranged fedrig to scale-like in two to three wreaths.

System

Synonyms for Scorzonera L. are: Avellara Blanca & C.Díaz, Podospermum DC.

There are about 175 species Scorzonera (selection):

• Bristlecone salsify ( Scorzonera aristata DC. )
• Austrian black salsify ( Scorzonera austriaca Willd. )
• Scorzonera cretica Willd.
• Scorzonera hirsuta ( Gouan ) L.
• Garden salsify ( Scorzonera hispanica L.)
• Low salsify ( Scorzonera humilis L.)
• Cut- black salsify ( Scorzonera laciniata L.)
• Scorzonera mollis subsp. idaea ( Gand. ) paint
• Red black salsify ( Scorzonera purpurea Waldst. & Kit. )
• Scorzonera sublanata Lipsch.
• Scorzonera syriaca Boiss. & Blanche