salsify

sal·si·fy

noun \ˈsal-sə-fē, -ˌfī\

plural sal·si·fies

Definition of SALSIFY

: a European biennial composite herb (Tragopogon porrifolius) with a long fusiform edible root —called also oyster plant, vegetable oyster

Origin of SALSIFY

French salsifis, from Italian salsefica, sassefrica

First Known Use: circa 1706

salsify

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Flower of goatsbeard (Tragopogon pratensis)—Louise K. Broman/Root Resources

Biennial herbaceous plant (Tragopogon porrifolius) of the aster family (Asteraceae), native to the Mediterranean. The thick, white taproot is cooked as a vegetable and tastes somewhat like oysters. The plant has purple flowers and narrow leaves whose bases usually clasp the stem. Goatsbeard, or meadow salsify (T. pratensis), is a weedy European species, naturalized in North America, that has a large yellow flower head. It is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental, and its leaves, flowers, and roots are sometimes eaten in salads.

Variants of SALSIFY

salsify or oyster plant or vegetable oyster