Chicory
Cichorium intybus
Asteraceae
Image Provider(s): netherbarium
Edible Uses
Leaf
Before flowering, the young, tender rosetta leaves can be consemed raw in salads or cooked. The frittered leaves can be used as a spice for sandwich spead, cheese or butter. Later on, leaves get bitter.
Root
The roasted root is used as a coffee substitute.
Habitats
Along the road side
Lawn
Weed associations
Confusion with other plants
Description
Life Span: Perennial
Size: 15 cm - 1 m
Bloom time: August,
July,
September,
Alternative common name(s):
- Common chicory
Flower
Inflorescence type: Capitulum
Flower Colour: Blue
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy/public/plants/flower_color/blue.png?itok=EX5oAWHz)
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy_group/public/plants/flower_color/blue.png?itok=U8cZF0Oz)
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy/public/plants/flower_color/blue.png?itok=EX5oAWHz)
Flower shape: flower head
Stem
Stem Type: round
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy/public/plants/fruit_category/fureszes.png?itok=zw2t2En8)
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy_group/public/plants/fruit_category/fureszes.png?itok=Rg22ExQi)
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy/public/plants/fruit_category/fureszes.png?itok=zw2t2En8)
Leaf
Foliage type: Basal
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy/public/plants/foliage_type/foliage_type_basal_0.png?itok=2gzz5JDG)
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy_group/public/plants/foliage_type/foliage_type_basal_0.png?itok=vd7Wlpl5)
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy/public/plants/foliage_type/foliage_type_basal_0.png?itok=2gzz5JDG)
Foliage texture: Hairy
Leaf shape: Lanceolate
Leaf margin: Laciniate
Leaf type: Simple
Fruit
Fruit Category: Seed
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy/public/plants/fruit_category/fureszes.png?itok=zw2t2En8)
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy_group/public/plants/fruit_category/fureszes.png?itok=Rg22ExQi)
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy/public/plants/fruit_category/fureszes.png?itok=zw2t2En8)
Fruit type: Achene ![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy_group/public/plants/fruit/aszmag.png?itok=6Q4JG64Z)
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy/public/plants/fruit/aszmag.png?itok=pYBypheA)
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy_group/public/plants/fruit/aszmag.png?itok=6Q4JG64Z)
![](http://www.wempla.com/encyclopedia/sites/default/files/styles/plant_taxonomy/public/plants/fruit/aszmag.png?itok=pYBypheA)