Mongolian viper's grass
Scorzonera mongolica
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb. It grows 5-35 cm tall. It keeps growing from year to year. It has leaves at the base in a ring. The rootstock is cylinder shape. There can be a few stems. The leaves at the base are narrow and 2-13 cm long by 1 cm wide. The leaves on the stem are shorter. The flower heads are only few and in a sparse flat topped arrangement. They are yellow or white.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. In north China it grows in salty meadows and sands as well as alkaline soils and beach sands from sea level to 3,200 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Central Asia, China, Kazakhstan, Manchuria, Mongolia
How it is used for food
The flowers are eaten raw.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, root
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Meng gu ya cong