COMPOSITE 635 



Geographical, and Closely Related Species.— The species 

 is a native of southern Europe. It is quite widely distributed 

 in this country in fields and waste places, probably as an 

 escape from cultivation. A yellow-flowered salsify (r. 

 pratensis), naturalized from Europe, is also quite widely 

 distributed here. The Spanish salsify or Spanish oyster 

 plant {Scolymus hispanicus), has a root much like that of 

 common salsify, but the plant differs from common salsify 

 in the following respects: the roots are of a lighter color and 

 longer, the leaves prickly, and the flowers yellowish. The 

 black salsify {Scorzonera hispanica), also a m_ember of the 

 Composite family, bears a black, fleshy, edible tap root. 

 It differs from common salsify in that its leaves are broader, 

 flowers yellow, and its involucral bracts are in many series. 



Uses.— Salsify is grown for its fleshy roots which have 

 somewhat the flavor of oysters, hence the common name, 

 "oyster plant." They are used both as a cooked vegetable 

 and as a relish. 



CICHORIUM (Chicory or Succory, and Endive) 



Description.— All the species of this genus are branching 

 herbs. The leaves are alternate, mostly basal, the cauHne 

 ones small and bract-like. The heads are large, and 

 peduncled or in sessile clusters along the branches. The 

 bracts of the involucre are in two series, the outer spreading, 

 the inner erect. The receptacle is flat, naked, or fringed with 

 small hairs. The corolla rays are- truncate and five-toothed 

 at the apex. The achenes are five-angled or five-ribbed, 

 truncate, and not beaked. The pappus consists of a number 

 of short scales. 



Geographical. — The species of Cichorium are natives of the Old World. 

 There are two of economic importance: Cichorium intybus (chicory) and 

 Cichorium endiva (endive). . ■ 



