Salsify is the name given to a few different plants in two different genera, both of which are in the sunflower family, Asteraceae. The more popular and common variety is called black salsify or Spanish salsify and has the scientific name Scorzonera hispanica. It is grown as a root vegetable and has large, broad leaves above ground and a long, tapered, black root, sometimes up to a meter long. The fleshy interior of the root is the edible portion, and the black skin of the root is usually removed before preparation. ^[rx]

This vegetable is native to Southern Europe and the Middle East, but its actual point of origin is believed to be in Spain. You rarely see this vegetable outside of Europe, or even in the United Kingdom, as the conditions are not suitable for cultivation. However, it remains very popular in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other central and southern European countries.

Salsify Quick Facts
Name:	Salsify
Scientific Name:	Tragopogon porrifolius
Origin	Mediterranean regions of southern Europe
Colors	Fleshy, brownish-yellow (Taproot)
Shapes	Long, cylindrical, tapered; Length: 15–30 cm; Width: 2.5-3 cm (Taproot)
Flesh colors	Creamy white
Calories	109 Kcal./cup
Major nutrients	Vitamin B6 (28.31%) Vitamin B2 0.293 mg (22.54%) Carbohydrate (19.03%) Manganese (15.48%) Phosphorus (14.29%)
Health benefits	Promotes circulation, Bone health, Detoxify the body, Healthy heart, Prevent digestive ailments

Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius), also called Common Salsify, Jerusalem Star, Goatsbeard, Vegetable Oyster, Salsify, White Salsify, Wild Salsify is a biennial root vegetable that prefers well-drained soil and cool climates. It is the member of the genus Tragopogon L. in the family Asteraceae Salsify can be eaten raw or cooked. The flowers, roots, seeds, greens could be used for various food preparations. Salsify was originated in the Mediterranean regions of southern Europe. It has also been introduced to North America, the British Isles, South Africa, and Australia as well.

SALSIFY FACTS

Salsify is a root vegetable that is inherent to the Mediterranean region of Europe, where it was cultivated and used as food for centuries. This plant has been introduced to other regions of the world as well.

The plant Tragopogon porrifolius also goes by the name such as Oyster Plant and Purple Goatsbeard. The leaves are like blades and slender stalks produce purple flowers. The greens and stalks of Salsify are also consumable. The root has the flavor of an oyster.The roots are added to soups and stews. The greens are added to the salads and other various dishes.

Name	Salsify
Scientific Name	Tragopogon porrifolius
Native	Mediterranean regions of southern Europe. It has also been introduced to North America, the British Isles, South Africa, and Australia.
Common/English Name	Common Salsify, Jerusalem Star, Goatsbeard, John-Go-To-Bed-At-Noon, Oyster Plant, Joseph’s Flower, Purple Goatsbeard, Purple Salsify, Vegetable Oyster, Salsify, Vegetable Oyster Plant, Wild Quinine, White Salsify, Wild Salsify
Name in Other Languages	Afrikaans: Hawerwortel, Bulgarian: Salzifi, Catalan: Barba De Cabra, Chinese: Po Lo Min Shin, Corsican: Scorzu Bianco, Croatian: Turnover, Czech: Salsifis, Danish: Havrerod, Dutch: Boksbaard, Estonian: Piimjuur, Esperanto: Tragopogo Purpura, Finnish: Kaurajuuri, French: Salsifi s Blanc, Gaelic: Salsey, Galician: Barba Cabreira, German: Gemüse-Haferwurz, Greek: Lagolachano, Hebrew: Zkan-Hataish Hungarian: Kecskedin, Icelandic: Hafursrot, India (Hindi): Ek Qism Ka, Italian: Barba Di Becco Violetta, Japanese: Mugina Deshiko, Korean: Seoyang Ueong, Lithuanian: Valgomasis Putelis, Macedonian: Španska Kozja Brada, Maltese: Lehjet Il-Bodbod, Mongolian: Jamaan Sakhal, Norwegian: Geitskjegg, Polish: Salsefia Portuguese: Cercifi, Romanian: Barba Caprei, Russian: Sal, Serbian: Turovet Slovašcina: Porovolistna Kozja Brada Spanish: Barba De Cabra, Swedish: Haverrot Tajik: Rishi Buz Turkish: Tekesakali, Ukrainian: Vìvsjanij Korìn Vietnamese: Cây Củ Hạ
Plant Growth Habit	Robust, erect, biennial
Growing Climate	Cool
Soil	Well-drained
Plant Size	50-110 cm high
Stem	Glabrescent, erect, unbranched; Height: 2-4 feet
Leaf	Alternate, thin, linear-lanceolate, green; Length: 20-40 cm
Flowering Season	June- September
Flower	Across: 5 cm; Purple flower head with green bracts
Taproot shape and size	Long, cylindrical, tapered; Length: 15–30 cm; Width: 2.5-3 cm
Taproot color	Fleshy, brownish-yellow
Taproot skin	Rough
Flesh color	Creamy white
Fruit shape & size	Tiny, oblong- narrow; Length: 1 to 1-3/5 inches (2.5–4 cm)
Fruit color	Pale brown
Flavor/aroma	Distinct nutty
Major Nutritions (Raw)	Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.368 mg (28.31%) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.293 mg (22.54%) Carbohydrate 24.74 g (19.03%) Manganese, Mn 0.356 mg (15.48%) Phosphorus, P 100 mg (14.29%) Copper, Cu 0.118 mg (13.11%) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 10.6 mg (11.78%) Iron, Fe 0.93 mg (11.63%) Total dietary Fiber 4.4 g (11.58%) Potassium, K 505 mg (10.74%) Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 0.493 mg (9.86%)
Health Benefits	Promotes circulation Bone health Detoxify the body Healthy heart Prevent digestive ailments Maintains blood pressure Enhance immunity power Brain health Eye health Improve symptoms of PMS
Calories in 1cup slices (133 gm) Raw	109 Kcal.
Traditional uses	In herbal medicine, Salsify is used as cleansing food and helpful for the liver and gall bladder. The root is used as antibilious, deobstruent, aperient and diuretic. It is used to treat of gall bladder obstructions, jaundice, arteriosclerosis, and high blood pressure.
Precautions	The intake of Salsify in large amounts can cause bloating. The excessive consumption of root results in abdominal discomfort, stomachache, bloating, and diarrhea. Inulin leads to itching, hypersensitivity reactions, and redness.
How to Eat	It could be cooked like mashed potatoes. It could be steamed and served as a side dish. Roots are consumed raw or cooked which resembles the flavor of oysters. The young roots, flowers are eaten as salads and soups. The sprouted seeds are added to sandwiches or salads. The root latex could be used as a piece of chewing gum. The greens are also eaten which possess a sweet taste. The roots are used as a dietetic medicine or coffee substitute.
Other Facts	The parts of Salsify possess sticky, milky latex which could be used like chewing gum. Salsify was cultivated in Europe which began in the 16th and 17th centuries. Cypsela is the fruit of salsify. It is known as an oyster plant as its root resembles oysters’ taste.

Salsify Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Tragopogon porrifolius

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Superdivision	Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division	Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Subclass	Asteridae
Order	Asterales
Family	Asteraceae/Compositae (Aster family)
Genus	Tragopogon L. (Goatsbeard)
Species	Tragopogon porrifolius L. (Salsify)
Synonyms	Tragopogon australis Jord. Tragopogon porrifolius f. porrifolius Tragopogon porrifolius subsp. porrifolius Tragopogon porrifolius var. cupani (Guss.) Fiori Tragopogon porrifolius var. porrifolius Tragopogon sativus Gaterau Tragopogon sinuatus Avé-Lall.

Plant

Salsify is robust, erect, a biennial herb that grows upto 50-110 cm in height. It has a glabrescent, erect, unbranched stem upto 2-4 feet high. Leaves are alternate, thin, linear-lanceolate, green in color, and 20-40 cm long. The plant yields a purple flower head with green bracts which is 5 cm across. Salsify has a fleshy and brownish-yellow taproot which is long, cylindrical, tapered about 15–30 cm long, and 2.5-3 cm wide. It has creamy white flesh. The skin of the taproot is rough. The fruit of Salsify is tiny, oblong- narrow having 1 to 1-3/5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long which is pale brown in color. One seed is possessed by each fruit.

Nutritional Value

Salsify raw is loaded with an excellent amount of nutrients such as 0.93 mg of iron, 35 µg of calcium, 505 mg of potassium, 0.356 mg of manganese, 31 mg of magnesium, 100 mg of phosphorous, and 0.118 mg of copper along with vitamins that include ascorbic acid 10.6 mg, riboflavin 0.293 mg, pantothenic acid 0.493 mg, folate 35 µg, thiamine 0.106 mg and vitamin B6 0.368 mg in a cup of 133 grams. It also possesses protein, dietary fiber of about 4.39 mg, 4.4 g respectively.

Nutritional value of Salsify, Raw

Serving Size: 1 Cup, 133 g

Calories 109 Kcal.Calories from Fat 2.43 Kcal.

Proximity	Amount	% DV
Water	102.41 g	N/D
Energy	109 Kcal	N/D
Energy	456 kJ	N/D
Protein	4.39 g	8.78%
Total Fat (lipid)	0.27 g	0.77%
Ash	1.2 g	N/D
Carbohydrate	24.74 g	19.03%
Total dietary Fiber	4.4 g	11.58%

Minerals	Amount	% DV
Calcium, Ca	80 mg	8.00%
Iron, Fe	0.93 mg	11.63%
Magnesium, Mg	31 mg	7.38%
Phosphorus, P	100 mg	14.29%
Potassium, K	505 mg	10.74%
Sodium, Na	27 mg	1.80%
Zinc, Zn	0.51 mg	4.64%
Copper, Cu	0.118 mg	13.11%
Manganese, Mn	0.356 mg	15.48%
Selenium, Se	1.1 µg	2.00%

Vitamins	Amount	% DV
Water-soluble Vitamins
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)	0.106 mg	8.83%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	0.293 mg	22.54%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	0.665 mg	4.16%
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)	0.493 mg	9.86%
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)	0.368 mg	28.31%
Vitamin B9 (Folate)	35 µg	8.75%
Folic Acid	0 µg	N/D
Folate, food	35 µg	N/D
Folate, DEF	35 µg	N/D
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)	10.6 mg	11.78%

*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not rxharun.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/

Health Benefits of Salsify

Along with the consumption as a food, it provides numerous benefits which help to enhance the overall health. Salsify helps to enhance the immune system, maintains blood pressure, enhances hair growth, digestive health, promotes circulation, metabolism and increases the mineral density of bones.

Maintains blood pressure

Salsify is rich in potassium, low in sodium which helps to enhance blood pressure problems by calming the blood vessels, preventing blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, and lowering the strain on the cardiovascular system. Potassium is vital for bone health, promoting cognitive ability and raising the flow of blood to the brain. (1)

Prevent digestive ailments

Salsify promotes digestive health because it is an excellent source of digestive health. It is vital to stimulate the transfer of food through the body, reduce constipation, prevent gastric ulcers, and ease bowel discomfort. The fiber in the form of inulin increases the bifidobacteria in the future. It lowers the cancer-causing agents, increases nutrient absorption, and enhances the immune system. (2)

Promotes circulation

The high presence of copper and iron helps to improve circulation and assist in the production of red blood cells which transports oxygen to the organs and tissues as well as follicle beds. Salsify also promotes hair growth. In addition, copper helps to increase the strength of the hair and reduces the chances of premature graying. (3)

Enhance immunity power

Vitamin C with other Vitamins and minerals promotes metabolic functionality and efficiency in the body by assisting the immune system. Vitamin C vitalizes the white blood cells, Vitamin B acts as antioxidants and Vitamin B increases the enzyme functions in order to regulate the hormones. The various nutrients found in Salsify are good for maintaining overall health. (4)

Bone health

Salsify is rich in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, iron, and copper which is vital for the formation of the mineral base to develop bone tissue. Vitamin C is crucial for the creation process of bones. The adequate presence of mineral density in bones helps to prevent age-related conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis which result due to the degradation of bones and when the collagen does not maintain integrity in the joints. (5)

Brain health

Vitamin B6 health benefits enhance the function and development of the brain. The studies have shown that the deficiency of Vitamin B6 influences the function of memory, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cognitive impairment.

Vitamin B6 controls the level of homocysteine that leads to heart disease as well as damage the central nervous system. Vitamin B6 is essential for hormones norepinephrine and serotonin that control energy, mood, and concentration.

ADHD is the cause of the low levels of serotonin; therefore, Vitamin B6 helps children with learning and behavior disorders.

Eye health

The deficiency of riboflavin also increases the chances of eye problems. Vitamin B2 can prevent the eye ailments such as keratoconus, cataracts, and glaucoma. The intake of riboflavin-rich foods reduces the chances of eye disorders that occur when someone ages.

The eye ailments are treated by applying riboflavin drops to the patient’s cornea for those suffering from glaucoma.

Improve symptoms of PMS

The intake of an adequate amount of manganese with calcium helps to improve the symptoms of PMS such as mood swings, tenderness, anxiety, muscle pain, and problem in sleeping. The study shows that the women with having a low level of manganese in the body faced more mood-related symptoms and pain during pre-menstruation.

Detoxify the body

The kidneys in the body help to eliminate the organic molecules present in the blood. Phosphorus is vital for the functioning of kidneys and also detoxifies the body by removing the waste and toxins through urine. The digestive organs and kidneys depend on magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus to balance the level of sodium, uric acid, fat, and water in the body.

Healthy heart

People having a high level of Vitamin C in the blood reduce the chances of stroke by 42% in comparison to those having a low amount. The fruits and veggies contain high levels of Vitamin C so they must in included in one’s diet.

References