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Scorzonera hispanica - L.

Common Name Scorzonera
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Cultivated ground, rocks and bushy places[50].
Range S. Europe.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Scorzonera hispanica Scorzonera


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Scorzonera hispanica Scorzonera
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Scorzonera_hispanica0.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Scorzonera hispanica is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Root  Shoots
Edible Uses: Coffee

Root - cooked[2, 27, 33, 37, 105]. A sweet agreeable flavour[1]. 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[200]. The root is rich in inulin[46] - this is a starch that is not easily digested by humans and so generally passes straight through the digestive system and is excreted. Inulin can cause flatulence in some people[K]. Leaves - raw[27, 33, 52]. The tender young shoots are usually eaten in early spring[183]. Flower buds - raw[57]. Added to salads[183]. The petals have their own distinctive flavour and can also be added to salads[183]. The roasted root is used as a coffee substitute[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Repellent

The growing plant is said to repel carrot root fly from carrots growing nearby[18].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any soil in sun or light shade[200]. Prefers a light soil[37]. Occasionally cultivated for its edible root, there are some named varieties[183]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is a tap root similar to a carrot going directly down [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. If the weather is dry, it will be advisable to water the seed in well or germination will be delayed. The seed can also be sown in situ in August. Division in autumn or as growth commences in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Azerbaijan, Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, Georgia, Russian Federation,Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia. EUROPE: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Russian Federation-European part, European part (south), Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France, Portugal, AFRICA: Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Hypochoeris scorzonerae Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM11 
Reichardia picroidesFrench Scorzonera, Common brighteyesPerennial0.5 7-10  LMHSNM50 
Scorzonera acanthocladaTeke-SaghyzPerennial0.0 -  LMHNDM002
Scorzonera albicaulis Perennial0.3 -  LMHNDM202
Scorzonera austriaca Perennial0.5 -  LMHNDM20 
Scorzonera crocifolia Perennial0.5 -  LMHNDM10 
Scorzonera divaricata Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM202
Scorzonera hissaricata Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM002
Scorzonera mollis Perennial0.3 5-9  LMHNDM20 
Scorzonera mongolica Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM20 
Scorzonera papposa Perennial0.3 -  LMHNDM20 
Scorzonera parviflora Biennial/Perennial0.6 -  LMHNDM10 
Scorzonera ptilophora Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM20 
Scorzonera racemosa Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM002
Scorzonera schweinfurthii Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM10 
Scorzonera tau-saghyzTau-SaghyzPerennial0.0 -  LMHNDM002
Scorzonera tragapogonoides Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM002
Scorzonera tuberosa Perennial0.1 -  LMHNDM10 
Scorzonera turkestanica Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM002
Scorzonera undulata Perennial0.3 -  LMHNDM20 
Scorzonera undulata deliciosa Perennial0.3 -  LMHNDM30 
Scorzonera virgata Perennial0.3 -  LMHNDM002

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

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Subject : Scorzonera hispanica  
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