There are no U.S. grade standards for Salsify. These instructions have been developed by the Specialty Crops Inspection Division to assist officially licensed inspectors in making inspections, writing certificates and to assist in the proper identification of specialty type fruits and vegetables.
Salsify (Oyster Plant, Goatsbeard, Vegetable Oyster) is a root crop that tends to remind many people of oysters, hence its alternate names of oyster plant or vegetable oyster. The plant is known as goatsbeard because of its clump of narrow, grass like leaves that grow above the ground. Salsify resembles a parsnip root. It is a hardy product and develops the best oyster flavor after going through several frosts.