Chicory

(Cichorium intybus)

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: The flowers are bright blue, with elongate rays, fringed at the apex, and hug a rigid, tough stem. The leaves are concentrated as a basal rosette of coarsely toothed leaves. The root is large. Plant 2 to 4 feet in height.

Distribution: Throughout North America.

Habitat: Chicory is a weed of roadsides, fields, and other disturbed areas.

Flowering period: June to October.

Comments: The root of this species is roasted, ground, and used as substitute for, or added to, coffee. The blend is particuarly popular in Louisiana.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Similar Species:

The large, bright blue flowers hugging the tough stem are characteristic for this species.

Similar Species

No Similar Species