Scorzonera radiata is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, widely distributed in Northeast Asia. The name Scorzonera derives from the Italian scorza nera meaning “black bark” (or “black rind”), referencing the dark outer appearance of the edible root. Some sources also point to the Italian word scorzone, which refers to a venomous snake, as the plant was historically used as an antidote for snake bites (leading to its common name, “viper’s grass”). In the 16th century, it was believed to be effective against not just snake bites, but also the bubonic plague.
