| Scorzonera | |
|---|---|
| S. purpurea var. rosea | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Scorzonera L. |
| Species | |
|
|
|
Scorzonera is a genus of the sunflower family (Asteraceae), subfamily Lactucoideae, tribe Lactuceae, subtribe Scorzonerinae.
It comprises about 100 species, the best-known of which is the edible black salsify (Scorzonera hispanica). Scorzonera tau-saghyz produces rubber.[1]
Scorzonera is recorded as a food plant for the larva of the Nutmeg, a species of moth.
The word Scorzonera derives from the Italian "scorza" (= bark) and "nera" (= black). A second explanation could come from Old French, where "scorzon" means "snake". Black Salsify has been used a long time to treat poisonous snake bites.