Other common names

Blue daisy, blue sailors, coffeeweed, wild bachelor’s buttons, wild endive.

Scientific name

Cichorium intybus

Family

Asteraceae

Description

Chicory grows up to 3 or more feet tall, with most of the leaves growing at the base of the plant. This gives a skeleton-like appearance to the upper part of the plant. The leaves have been used as salad greens, and the root as a coffee substitute.

• Leaves

  Basal leaves are large and somewhat toothed or sometimes deeply lobed. Leaves are smooth or hairy. Upper leaves are small and have smooth edges or small lobes, and clasp the stem.

• Stems

  Erect, round and stiffly branched. The lower part of the stem is hairy. Stems are hollow and produce a milky sap when broken

  Flowers

  Blue or sometimes purple or white flowers occur in groups of one to three where leaves join the stems. The tips of the petals are squared off and toothed. Individual flowers only open for a single day.

• Roots

  Grows a deep taproot that oozes a bitter, milky sap when broken or cut.

Native to

Europe

Where it grows

Pastures, fence lines, poorly maintained turf, roadsides and disturbed sites; prefers moist conditions

Life cycle

Perennial (grows back each year from the roots)

Reproduction

Reproduces by seed.

Control methods

Chicory continues to be grown as a crop plant, so little information is available on control.