Scorzonera (Black salsify)

Scorzonera hispanica

Heritage perennial root vegetable with black-skinned, white-fleshed roots resembling slim parsnips. Once a winter staple, now near-extinct in cultivation.

Hardiness ratings

Scorzonera (Black salsify) hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 3–10 −40 °C to 4.4 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 3–9 −34 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–6 −15 °C to 15 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Sap stains hands black — peel under running water
  • Treat as a slow biennial: lift roots in their second autumn for best size

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Scorzonera (Black salsify) against your zones

Reference

Scorzonera (Black salsify) on Wikipedia