Cichorium intybus L.
Common Name : Chicory
Family : Asteraceae
HABIT |
AN ERECT OR SUBSCANDENT ANNUAL HERB UP TO 1M HIGH. |
STEMS |
GLABROUS TO SPARSELY STRIGOSE
AND SCABROUS, HERBACEOUS, BRANCHING, ERECT, WITH MILKY SAP, FROM A MASSIVE
TAPROOT. |
LEAVES |
ALTERNATE. BASAL LEAVES LYRATE PINNATIFID, 30 CM LONG, 6 CM
WIDE, DENTATE, PUBESCENT ABOVE AND BELOW, HIRSUTE ON MIDRIB BELOW. CAULINE LEAVES
LANCEOLATE TO LINEAR, CLASPING, ENTIRE, MUCH REDUCED. |
FLOWERS |
INFLORESCENCE –
TYPICALLY 1-3 AXILLARY FLOWERS IN UPPER PORTION OF STEMS. SOME FLOWERS
TERMINAL. LOWER FLOWERS WITH REDUCED LEAF (BRACT) SUBTENDING. UPPER FLOWERS
WITH NO BRACT OR BRACT REDUCED AND SCALELIKE. BLUE TO LILAC. |
FRUITS |
ACHENES -2MM LONG; PAPPUS OF
SHORT SCALES. |