Cichorium intybus L.

Chicory; Succory; Blue Sailors

Herb

Biennial

Vascular

Chicory is an introduced herbaceous biennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is native to Europe and Asia. In our state it occurs primarily in the Black Belt region of central Alabama and in northern Alabama. Chicory can be found around old home sites, on roadsides, along railroads, in hay fields, and in pastures. It is a biennial with a stout taproot. The stems are 1-3 feet in height, branched, ribbed, and pubescent (at least towards the base). The leaves are basal (may be absent at flowering time) and cauline. The leaves are alternate, sessile or short petiolate, oblanceolate to linear in outline, pubescent (at least on the midrib below), with toothed to entire or lobed margins. The cauline leaves are much reduced. The sap is milky. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are sessile in open spike-like or panicle-like arrays. The heads are subtended by 1-2 series of short outer triangular bracts and an inner series of long narrow bracts. The heads contain only ray flowers. The flowers are pale blue to rarely pink, purple, or white in color. The fruit is an achene with a crown of short scales. The leaves of Chicory are sometimes used as salad greens, but have a somewhat bitter taste. The roasted roots are ground and used as an addition to or substitute for coffee.—A. Diamond

**

Not Native

**