Tragopogon porrifolius, vegetable oyster, oyster plant, salsify - Mediterranean biennial herb with long-stemmed heads of purple ray flowers and milky sap and long edible root; naturalized throughout United States

root - (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground

vegetable oyster, oyster plant - long white-skinned salsify

genus Tragopogon, Tragopogon - genus of Old World herbs with linear entire leaves and yellow or purple flower heads

oyster plant, salsify - edible root of the salsify plant

herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests

root vegetable - any of various fleshy edible underground roots or tubers

vegetable oyster, oyster plant - long white-skinned salsify

black salsify, scorzonera - long black-skinned salsify