Tragopogon porrifolius

Tragopogon porrifolius is a species of plant commonly known as purple or common salsify, oyster plant, vegetable oyster, Jerusalem star, Jack go to bed, goatsbeard, or simply salsify. These last two names are also applied to other species. It grows wild in many places and is one of the most widely known species of the salsify genus, Tragopogon. It is cultivated for its ornamental flower and edible root.

Description

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It can be up to 1.5 m high and spreads to 1 m wide. It has a white thickened root. It can grow for one or two years. It has a clump of long leaves a little like an onion. They are bluish-green and grass-like. They clasp the stem and are keeled along the back surface. It produces long stalked purplish flower heads. The flowers are 3-6 cm across. The cut leaves produce milky sap.

Edible Uses

Salsify offers several edible parts across its growing season. The root can be eaten raw or cooked — young roots are mild enough to grate into salads, while older roots are best cooked. The flavour is mild and sweet, often compared to oysters. Roots can be harvested as needed from October through early spring, or lifted in late autumn and stored. In spring, the new young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked and have a sweet taste. Flowering shoots are prepared and eaten like asparagus. The flowers can be added raw to salads, and sprouted seeds make a good addition to salads or sandwiches. The root also produces a latex that can be used as a chewing gum.

Traditional Uses

The white roots are eaten boiled, baked or in soup. The young leaves are edible. They can be eaten raw or used to flavour other foods. (Cut pieces quickly discolour before cooking unless stored in water with a little lemon juice added.) The roasted roots have been used as coffee substitute the same as chicory. The hardened juice from broken stems can be chewed. The latex can be used as milk.

Medicinal Uses

Salsify is considered a cleansing food with a beneficial effect on the liver and gallbladder. The root is antibilious, slightly aperient, deobstruent, and diuretic. It is used specifically for obstructions of the gallbladder and jaundice, and is also employed in the treatment of arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in the highlands in the tropics. It does best in light well-drained soils. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Tasmania Herbarium. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Crete, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Europe*, France, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Romania, SE Asia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, West Indies, Yugoslavia,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. They are normally sown direct and thinned out if needed. Plants if left for a second year flower and seed easily and become self sown. In temperate places it grows over 2 years. In the first year it produces thickened roots then in the second year it flowers and seeds.

Propagation

Sow seed in situ as early in the year as conditions allow, ideally in March. Seedling establishment often fails if the soil is allowed to dry out, so keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings are well established.

Other Uses

Salsify develops a deep taproot that can break up compacted soils and improve soil structure, particularly in degraded or low-fertility areas. As the plant dies back, the decaying root channels improve water infiltration and aeration, benefiting overall soil health. The large purple daisy-like flowers produce nectar and pollen attractive to bees, and bloom relatively early, providing a food source when few other plants are flowering. The globe-like seed heads, similar in appearance to those of dandelions, offer structural habitat or nesting material for invertebrates and small wildlife. The flowers and seed heads are also visually striking, making the plant useful in naturalistic garden design, cut flower arrangements, or dried ornamental displays. Salsify fits well into permaculture gardens or pollinator-supporting plantings, adding biodiversity and visual interest while improving soil belowground.

Production

Young leaves can be made tender by covering them with mulch in the second year to blanch them. Plants are ready to harvest 5 months after planting. Roots should be harvested before flowering starts. The tender shoots 12-15 cm long are used as salsify.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Occasionally seen in gardens of Europeans in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

Notes

There are about 50 Tragopogon species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Alamen, Laatrous, Lahyat, Monla-u-chin, Pignounites, Porovolistna kozja brada, Purple-goat-beard, Salsafy, Salsifi, Teta de vaca, Tetesakali, Tetillon, White salsify

References (72)

• Aceituno-Mata, L., et al, 2021, The Persistence of Flavor: Past and Present Use of Wild Food Plants in Sierra Norte de Madrid, Spain. Front. Sustain. Food Syst., 11 January 2021
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 644
• Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
• Bianchini, F., Corbetta, F., and Pistoia, M., 1975, Fruits of the Earth. Cassell. p 48
• Biscotti, N. & Pieroni, A., 2015, The hidden Mediterranean diet: wild vegetables traditionally gathered and consumed in the Gargano area, Apulia, SE Italy. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 84 (3): 327-338

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