Salsify is a unique biennial root vegetable with grass-like leaves. In the spring it produces masses of daisy-like purple flowers followed by large seedheads that resemble those of dandelions. The root is said to taste somewhat like oysters and looks like a white carrot.
Latin Name
Tragopogon porrifolius
Family
Asteraceae
Also Known As
Oyster Plant Jerusalem Star
Type of Plant
Vegetables
Bloom Season
May
Seasons
Fall
Winter
Spring
Specifications
Max Height: 3'
Max Spread: 2'
Uses
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Colors
Native Range
Mediterranean
History
Salsify was a popular colonial vegetable and was grown by Brother August Schubert at Bethabara in 1761.
Other Details
Sold at Mount Vernon
Planted at Mount Vernon
Hardiness Zones
Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005
Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.
Bring Washington's Garden Home
Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.
Shop Now