Scorzonera hispanica 'Black Salsify'

[Ex. Pirineos Orientales, Spain]

Asteraceae/Compositae: a perennial growing to 1m, with a thin black taproot can also grow up to 1m long. Found on cultivated ground, rocks and bushy places. The flowers resemble stately dandelions heads. Blooming from June-September. Flowers are followed by large dandelion like clocks. The leaves are oval which taper to a long point at the tip. Native to Southern Europe.

USES:

The root can be cooked and eaten. They have a sweet agreeable flavour, and are rich in inulin. The root is usually eaten at the end of its first year of growth, but it can be grown on for a second year without becoming tough. The tender young shoots are usually eaten in early spring, and the flower buds can be added raw to salads.

The growing plant is said to repel carrot root fly from carrots growing nearby.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seeds in spring in situ. Only lightly cover seeds as they need light to germinate. The seed can also be sown in situ in August for larger plants the following year. Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun.

HARVESTED: 2021*

 

APPROX. 20 SEEDS