Salsify/Scorzonera Tragopogon porrifolius Scorzonera hispanica These unusual roots taste something flower family. An odd combination, like oysters, grow just like parsnips or which adds up to terrific eating. carrots, and are members of the sun- Culture MASTER GARDENERS Salsify is a hardy biennial with purple cause they are able to withstand hard flowers. Salsify roots need to be eaten freezing in the winter, either crop may in their first winter. Scorzonera is a be harvested anytime frozen ground hardy perennial, normally grown as an allows until early spring, when new annual. growth depletes the over-wintered roots. Both salsify and scorzonera are known as vegetable oyster or oyster plant, Sow fresh seed in situ in spring about from the flavor of the cooked roots. ½ to 1 inch deep, in rows about 8 Salsify is a creamy white root that pro- inches apart, thinning out seedlings to duces purple flowers the second sea- 4 inches. Like parsnips, they are tol- son. Scorzonera is a black-skinned erant to cold and can be harvested root that produces yellow flowers. Be- from the garden as needed. Harvest The tapered roots, ½ to 1 inch in diameter, and 8 to 10 inches long are made into chowder or cooked and served cold as a salad vegetable. The roots of salsify are usually peeled after cooking, while the roots of Scorzonera are not because a large proportion of their flavor is in the skin. Spring shoots of either plant may be eaten like asparagus. Irrigation Water plants at a rate of 3 to 5 gallons/sq yd per week in dry spells. Fertility Plants require low nitrogen levels, 1 to 1 ½ oz of 20-10-10 per square yard. Plants prefer a pH of around 7.0. Pests and Disease Pests and diseases rarely affect Salsify or Scorzonera. Master Gardeners JournalJournal MG 227 March 1, 2003 MASTER GARDENERS Providing university research- based horticulture information and educational opportunities Milwaukee County UW-Extension 932 South 60th Street West Allis, WI 53214-3346 Phone: (414) 290-2400 Fax: (414) 290-2424 http://milwaukee.uwex.edu Ozaukee County UW-Extension Box 994 121 West Main Street Port Washington, WI 53074 Phone: (262) 284-8288 http://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us /MasterGardener Compiled By John T. Kovatch .