Meanings
nounsalsify (usually uncountable, plural salsifies)
plural salsifies
- countableuncountableusuallyAny of several flowering plants, of the genus Tragopogon, most of which have purple flowers.
- countableuncountableusuallyTragopogon porrifolius, a plant with linear leaves; cultivated for its light-skinned edible root and herbal properties. Known in particular as "white salsify" among other common names
- countableuncountableusuallyPseudopodospermum hispanicum (syn. Scorzonera hispanica), a plant similar in flavor to T. porrifolius, with lanceolate leaves; cultivated for its dark-skinned edible root. Known in particular as "black salsify" among other common names
- uncountableusuallyThe edible root of these plants.
Synonyms & antonyms
nounMediterranean biennial herb with long-stemmed heads of purple ray flowers and milky sap and long edible root; naturalized throughout United States
Similar
Broader
herbherbaceous plant
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Frenchsalsifis
- Frenchsalsifis
- Englishsalsify
Borrowed from French salsifis.
More words from French
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Bulgarian козя брада, брадица
- козя брада (kozja brada)plant of the genus Tragopogon
- брадица (bradica)plant of the genus Tragopogon
Catalan salsifí
- salsifíedible root of Tragopogon
Dutch schorseneer
- schorseneerplant of the genus Tragopogon
Finnish pukinparta, kaurajuuri
- pukinpartaplant of the genus Tragopogon
- kaurajuuriedible root of Tragopogon
Hungarian bakszakáll
- bakszakállplant of the genus Tragopogon
Polish kozibród, salsefia
- kozibródplant of the genus Tragopogon
- salsefiaplant of the genus Tragopogon
- salsefiaedible root of Tragopogon
Turkish tekesakalı
- tekesakalıplant of the genus Tragopogon
Cite this entry
APA
salsify. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/salsify
MLA
“salsify.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/salsify. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “salsify,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/salsify.
Source: salsify on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.