whatis ? Horseradish it's not!

tcvarlh · #1 (**permalink**) 27-06-2009, 04:04 PM

Hi Folks,
I have a problem that I hope someone might be able to answer. Two years ago I planted a rather dry and wrinkled rhizome of 'supposedly' Horseradish. I thought at the time it looked a little odd being rather dark and very tapered. Not a lot happened until this year. Now I have a 4.5 foot tall plant (flower stalks) and lanceolate leaves (18") from a rosette. This is not a Horseradish, So what is it? It looks like a Brassica of some sort but it 'what it is??'

sorry the shots are so bad, also the flowers are way past their prime.

Tiggrx · #2 (**permalink**) 27-06-2009, 05:03 PM

Looks like Scorzonera (Scorzonera hispanica). It is sometimes grown as a vegetable but I have no idea how it is used.

Hedera · #3 (**permalink**) 27-06-2009, 05:12 PM

You are correct Tiggrx, it's scorzerona or black salsify. You cook the roots like parsnips after scraping them. Best roast, but you need a lot!

tcvarlh · #4 (**permalink**) 27-06-2009, 05:22 PM

Only one problem I looked at Salsify and it has jagged leaves, almost spines, my 'Thing' doesn't. The flower is right but the leaves dunno ???

Hedera · #5 (**permalink**) 27-06-2009, 05:34 PM

It belongs to the dandelion family. if you break a leaf off you should get some milky juice appearing on the stem.

KeenTeen17 · #6 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 12:36 PM

Salsify is a member of the Tragopagon genus whereas this your plant is a member of the Scorzonera genus, Theres the disadvantage of common names. Black Salsify

tcvarlh · #7 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 04:28 PM

Ok thanks All
Next question is : Do I eat it or not?
I shall give a try and report back, IF I don't then you lot were wrong and I'm dead, ergo, it's been nice knowing you all.