Scorzonera

Also Black Salsify, Black Oyster Plant, Viper Grass

Tragopogón means “goat’s beard” and refers to the milky white seed filaments (like dandelion fluff) that distinguish members of the genus. Porrifolius means leekleaved and describes to a degree the grassy, flat greens of this plant, which is the only cultivated member of the group. The root vegetable itself is shaped like an irregular parsnip and has relatively thin, pale-tan skin (the flesh is off-white), the whole covered with tiny rootlets.