Common chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Also known as: Wild succory, Blue dandelion
Common chicory is used in a variety of culinary applications around the world, most commonly with coffee. It is occasionally also added during the beer-brewing process to inject a coffee-like flavor. The leaves can be boiled or eaten raw in salad or with pasta. Common chicory is also a simple livestock fodder. In European folklore, the small blue flowers could be used to magically open locked doors.
In This Article
Attributes of Common chicory
Lifespan
Perennial, Biennial, Annual
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
30 cm to 1.4 m
Spread
30 cm to 60 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
3 cm to 5 cm
Flower Color
Blue White Pink
Images of Common chicory
Quickly Identify Common chicory
1
Robust biennial with upright growth habit, reaching 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) tall.
2
Distinctive blue flowers with ligulate heads and toothed rays, blooming from mid-summer to frost.
3
Fruit is a small achene with brown color, oblong shape, and ring of bristles on one end.
4
Alternate lance-shaped leaves up to 8 inches (20 cm) long, sessile or clasping stem.
5
Sturdy stem exuding milky sap, covered in fine hairs, reaching up to 5 feet (150 cm).
Scientific Classification of Common chicory
Phylum
Vascular plants
Class
Dicotyledons
Order
Asterales
Family
Daisy
Genus
Cichorium
Species
Common chicory
