Mammoth Sandwich Island Salsify Seeds
Mammoth Sandwich Island Salsify Seeds- Tragopogon porrifolius - Oyster Root
Oyster Root
- Hardy to Zone 4
Full Sun
- Germination Tested November 15, 2023: 100%
- Approximately 30 seeds per packet
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Mammoth Sandwich Island Salsify is a perennial vegetable with edible roots, leaves, and flowers. It is also known as "oyster root", although I don’t find the roots have much of an oyster flavour. They taste more nutty to me, and have a great texture- it’s creamy like a waxy potato crossed with a parsnip. Great in soups and stews, or roasted, boiled, or steamed and served with a pat of butter. The roots can also be eaten raw when young.
The creamy white roots can be dug up anytime from fall to spring, like parsnips. They store very well in the ground over winter.
If the roots weren’t enough, the leaves and flowers are edible too! The flat leaves are mild and delicious. And if you allow the plant to overwinter, the flower buds taste like small artichokes when boiled or steamed. The flowers are purple and are edible as well. This plant is a one-stop-shop!
This is a very old heritage variety dating back to the 1800s. Native to the Mediterranean. It has been rarely grown in North America recently, but is having a resurgence, for good reason!
The plant’s sap is a milky white colour, but it can be rinsed off after harvest. Roots can turn brown quickly when peeled or cut (like apples), but lemon juice or lemon water can prevent that and keep them white.
If allowed to flower in its second year, Salsify will self-seed around your garden, guaranteeing a supply for years to come! To avoid self-seeding, harvest all plants in their first fall/winter, or eat the flower buds as they appear.
Growing Instructions
Growing Instructions
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
We ship seeds within Canada for a flat fee of $6, United States for $25, and internationally for $25*. Live plants and bulbs can only be shipped within Canada.
Shipping in Canada
We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-2 weeks to arrive. Larger bulbs and plants are sent via tracked flat rate box.
Shipping to the US
We ship all US orders by tracked packet and they usually take two weeks to arrive.
According to the USDA, most seeds require an import permit to be brought into the US and the permit is free and useable for multiple orders/years. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". In our experience shipping seeds over several years, most small orders will make it across the border without issues, but occasionally they will be held at US Customs.
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit and Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by US customs.
Shipping Internationally
International orders are usually shipped via untracked packet. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit and Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held of confiscated by customs.
International shipping countries include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom
If you have any issues with the quality of your order, please contact us within 60 days and we will make it right!
*Shipping fees are in Canadian dollars.
Ecologically Grown
Ecologically Grown
Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
