Plant Details

Scorzonera hispanica

Scorzonera

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Scorzonera hispanica.

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Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Scorzonera
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Grote schorseneer
French
  • Salsifis noir
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Scorzonera hispanica
Accepted name (Kew): Pseudopodospermum hispanicum View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Asteraceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Scorzonera (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Scorzonera

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-9
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial shade

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Root, Flowers, Coffee
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
None

Description

Cooked carrot has a pleasant sweet taste. Usually, the carrot is eaten at the end of its first growing year, but it can also be cultivated in the second year without a decline in quality. The carrot contains inulin, a starch that is not easily digested by humans. As a result, it mostly passes through the digestive system undigested and is excreted, which can cause flatulence in some people. The leaves are edible when raw. The young, tender shoots are usually eaten in early spring. The flower buds can also be eaten raw, for example, added to salads. They have their own distinctive flavor and are also suitable for brightening up salads. Additionally, roasted carrots can serve as a coffee substitute.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/10
Harvest ends: 31/03

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Scorzonera hispanica L., name ID 3072848, row 872409; Pseudopodospermum hispanicum (L.) Zaika, Sukhor. & N.Kilian, name ID 3246152, row 665801
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 558035; name ID 3134279; Scorzonera L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.