Source: Magness et al. 1971
The plant is a coarse growing perennial herb, cultivated for the roots. Leaves are up to a foot long, elloptic-oblong and hairy. Roots should be dug the second year. A preparation of the mucilaginous roots is used as a medicine, and roots are also used in sweetmeats. No data are available on production in the U.S., but it is very limited if at all.