120 days. Tragopogon porrifolius. Plant produces large 8" long by 2" wide salsify roots. Looks similar to a carrot with oyster like flavor. Used in soups and steamed or sauteed in butter. Known as the Vegetable Oyster because it has a taste when cooked that is similar to oysters. Grown for its roots, which look like large white Carrots, it is an easily raised winter vegetable. Sow 1 in. deep in drills in spring and roots will be ready from October onwards. Lift as required, scald the roots, scrape and leave in water, to which a few drops of lemon juice have been added, for half an hour or so, boil and serve with a white sauce, or fry and serve with a drop more lemon juice. Any roots not eaten by the following spring will produce tender shoots which can be cut when about 6 ins. long, and cooked like Asparagus. A European favorite grown since at least the Thirteenth Century.