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Black Salsify (Scorzonera hispanica L.)

root bodies	flowering plant

Distribution, Yield, Use:

• Distribution:
  Main growing areas are in the mediterranean regions. Needs deep, rich soil with regular water supply.
• Yield:
  180-300 kg/100m3 roots
• Use:
  - Root vegetable
  - leaves as salad
  The roots contain 8-10% carbohydrate including inulin, 0.5-1% protein, 0.5-2% fat.
  The milky juice is claimed to have medicinal properties.

Region of origin: Region of cultivation:

• Cultivation and Breeding:
  Black salsify, which originates from Southern Europe, is a perennial frost-hardy meadow plant. Cultivated forms appeared from the 17th Century, and were possibly spread from Spain or Southern Italy. In contrast to most of the other root vegetables, the tap-root of the black salsify is not fully used up for flower production. It is refilled with Assimilates and hence can also be grown and harvested in the second year. Little breeding is being carried out on this plant.
• Breeding aims:
  Special value is placed on smooth, unbranched and if possible long and thick roots, with a good taste and a high nutritional content.

Text by Dr. Wolfgang Schuchert
Adapted to HTML by R.Saedler