What is this?

[Katherine J]

Hello everybody,
Has anybody any idea about what is this? It was on limestone in the Dolomites (Rautal), at about 1500 m, only one single plant. It was about 70 cm tall, the leaves narrow lanceolate. I think it is not specially an alpine, but I haven't seen it elsewhere. I thougth it was a Scorzonera... And an 'expert' here says it must be Lactuca perennis, but it is not, because the leaves were not like that.

[ranunculus]

Hi Kathrine,   

I haven't forgotten you....I am going through a couple of books at the moment!

[Paddy Tobin]

Does chicory grow there?

Paddy

[Maggi Young]

I though of Scorzonera papposa....     I think that's the name but it is from Jordan and Israel 

[Lvandelft]

Maggi, it looks like this, but are the Dolomites in S.E. Europe?

[Maggi Young]

Luit, I thought this plant was only from these western Med. regions, not from mainland Europe also.... so. if that is not the case then this may indeed be the correct name for this plant from the Dolomites  THis would seem western europe to me though  So does this species spread from SE Europe to how far ? Where, from the east to the west do you know?

[Lvandelft]

Maggi I googled a little, and it seems a very interesting plant. It's edible, but if it has those black roots, I would prefer dark chocolate.

Scorzonera papposa
Common name:   Family: Compositae
Author: DC. Botanical references: 93
Synonyms:   
Known Hazards: None known
Range: S. E. Europe to W. Asia.
Habitat: Limestone screes and slopes, fields, 300 - 1800 metres in Turkey[93].
Perennial growing to 0.3m. . The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Cultivated Beds.
Edible Uses
Flowers; Leaves; Root.
Root - cooked[177].
Young leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[177].
Flowers - raw[177].

[Katherine J]

are the Dolomites in S.E. Europe?

I don't think so, Luit.

Maybe this plant was just on his vacation in the Dolomites