Scolymus 



199 



salsify, except that it is lighter colored and considerably 

 longer. Its flavor is less pronounced, but when carefully 

 cooked it possesses a very agreeable quality somewhat in- 

 termediate between that of the salsify and parsnip. It is 

 adapted to all the methods of cooking employed for those 



vegetables. The particular value 

 of the vegetable, aside from 

 affording a variety in the kitchen- 

 garden, is its large size and pro- 

 ductiveness as compared with the 



106. Black salsify or 

 scorzonera (X 1/3). 



107. Young plants of scorzonera (X %). 



salsify. Almost twice the crop 

 can be grown on a given area. 

 The seeds are much easier to 

 handle and sow than those of the 

 salsify. It can be dug either in 

 the fall or spring. Perhaps the greatest disadvantage of 

 the plant is the very prickly leaves, which may make it 

 impleasant to handle. It is worth more attention in Amer- 

 ican gardens, but it may not survive the winter at the 

 North and produce seed, although edible roots are made 

 the first year, "rhe plant is sometimes called golden thistle. 



The Spanish salsify belongs in the Compositae, being one of 

 the three species of Scolymus, S. hispanicus, Linn. Sp. PI. 



