Serpent root, Crow onion
Scorzonera glabra

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has milky sap. It grows 15-30 cm high. It has stout upright rootstocks. These are covered with the remains of old leaves. Usually one stem emerges from the rootstock. The leaves are at the base and are narrowly sword shaped. They are 12-30 cm long by 6-20 mm wide. They form a sheath at the base and taper to the tip. The flowers are pale yellow.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in northern China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China

How it is used for food

The roots and young plants are eaten in northern China.

It is an emergency or famine food.

Edible parts

Roots, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ya cong

Synonyms

Scorzonera ruprechtiana Lipschitz et Krascheninnikov; Scorzonera austriaca Willdenow var. glabra Ruprecht;