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. |