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.