Scorzonera hispanica
Spanish salsify, viper's grass, Viper'S Grass
(c) Thierry Arbault, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Scorzonera hispanica (Spanish salsify) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Scorzonera is an Old World genus cultivated for its edible roots, with only this species established in California.
Spanish salsify is a naturalized perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern coastal California in open fields at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow flowers with occasional purple-tinged undersides in heads 2 to 3 centimeters wide. Growing 25 to 100 centimeters tall with a vertical rootstock, it develops sparsely woolly stems that are few-branched and leafy. Its leaves are 15 to 40 centimeters long, linear to ovate-elliptic with wavy margins and occasional teeth. The fruit is 10 to 15 millimeters long with strongly ribbed outer surfaces and dirty white pappus bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Scorzonera is an Old World genus cultivated for its edible roots, with only this species established in California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open fields
Elevation: < 500 m
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Scorzonera hispanica blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Anisocoma: Scorzonera is perennial; Anisocoma is annual; vs Leontodon: Scorzonera has completely beakless seeds; Leontodon seeds have short beaks; vs Tragopogon: Scorzonera seeds lack beaks and attach directly to fluff; Tragopogon has long-beaked seeds; vs Stephanomeria: Scorzonera has yellow flowers and grass-like leaves; Stephanomeria has pink flowers on wiry stems; vs Rafinesquia: Scorzonera has yellow flowers; Rafinesquia has white or cream flowers
Frequently asked questions
Is Scorzonera hispanica native to California?
No. Scorzonera hispanica is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Scorzonera hispanica bloom?
Scorzonera hispanica blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Scorzonera hispanica belong to?
Scorzonera hispanica is in the Asteraceae family, genus Scorzonera.
What habitat does Scorzonera hispanica grow in?
Scorzonera hispanica grows in Open fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.