Cichorium intybus

"Notes: Plains to Low Altitude, Cultivated, Native of Mediterranean Region"

This plant is usually 1½–3' high, branching occasionally. The stems are variously colored, ranging from green to reddish brown. The lower stems can be quite hairy, while the upper stems are nearly hairless. The alternate leaves are up to 8" long and 2" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. They are lanceolate, elliptic, or oblanceolate in overall shape, and either pinnatifid or dentate; the upper leaves have margins that are more smooth (entire). Each leaf narrows gradually to a petiole-like base, where it is either sessile or clasps the stem. There are usually conspicuous hairs along the central vein of the lower leaf surface.  The upper stems terminate in long inflorescences that are either spike-like, or they are open branching panicles. Widely spaced along the flowering stalks, there are sessile or nearly sessile flowerheads and short triangular bracts. These flowerheads are about 1-1½" across and they have 10-20 ray florets. The petaloid rays of these florets are light blue, fading to white; there are 5 tiny teeth at the tip of each petaloid ray. Toward the center of each flowerhead, there are several light blue stamens with blue anthers. The flowerheads bloom during the morning, and close-up later in the day, unless the skies are cloudy. The blooming period can occur from early summer to early fall, depending on the weather and the timing of disturbances (such as occasional mowing). The achenes are oblongoid and 5-ribbed; there is a pair of small scales at the apex of each achene. The root system consists of a stout taproot. Common Chicory spreads by reseeding itself.

The roots of Common Chicory have been roasted to create a coffee-substitute; they are also used as an ingredient in some herbal teas. The flowerheads are very beautiful, but short-lived. This species is easy to identify because of the appearance of these flowerheads – they are a lovely light blue, whereas similar plants in the Aster family usually have yellow flowerheads. However, some Lactuca spp. (Wild Lettuce) have light blue flowerheads that are smaller in size. These latter species produce achenes with tufts of hair, whereas the achenes of Common Chicory have only small scales.

Cichorium intybus var. eglandulosum Freyn & Sint.:
Turkey (Asia)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Cichorium glaucum Hoffmanns. & Link:
Portugal (Europe)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Cichorium intybus L.:
Argentina (South America)
Australia (Oceania)
Bolivia (South America)
Brazil (South America)
Canada (North America)
Chile (South America)
United States (North America)
Honduras (Mesoamerica)
Madagascar (Africa & Madagascar)
Guatemala (Mesoamerica)
El Salvador (Mesoamerica)
Panama (Mesoamerica)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
South Africa (Africa & Madagascar)
China (Asia)
Venezuela (South America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Canada

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Perennials (sometimes flowering first year). Leaves: blades of basal 5–35+ × 1–8(–12+) cm; cauline similar, smaller, narrower, distal mostly linear. Peduncles mostly 0–2 mm, some narrowly clavate, 12–45(–85+) mm. Phyllaries: outer 5–6 lance-ovate to lanceolate, 4–7 mm, basally cartilaginous, distally herbaceous, inner 8+ lance-linear to linear, 6–12 mm, herbaceous, all usually with some gland-tipped hairs 0.5–0.8 mm on margins near bases or on abaxial faces toward tips. Cypselae 2–3 mm; pappi 0.01–0.2 mm. 2n = 18.

The flowers attract short-tongued bees and probably other insects. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. The foliage of Common Chicory is eaten by Melanoplus bivittatus (Two-Striped Grasshopper), Melanoplus femurrubrum (Red-Legged Grasshopper), and probably other grasshoppers. The larvae of a lizard beetle, Acropteroxys gracilis, bore through the stems of this plant, while the caterpillars of the moth, Pyrrhia exprimens (Purple-Lined Sallow), feed on the the flowers, buds, and developing achenes. Because the foliage contains a bitter white latex, it is probably not preferred as a food source by mammalian herbivores, although cattle and sheep reportedly eat the basal leaves. Photographic Location

Cichorium intybus (Chicory) introduced
(the bee sucks nectar; this observation can be found in Estes & Thorp; information is limited)

Bees (short-tongued)
Halictidae (Halictinae): Lasioglossum lustrans sn (ET)

Foodplant / internal feeder
larva of Ensina sonchi feeds within capitulum of Cichorium intybus

In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Foodplant / parasite
Golovinomyces cichoracearum parasitises live Cichorium intybus

Foodplant / miner
larva of Liriomyza strigata mines leaf of Cichorium intybus

Foodplant / shot hole causer
acervulus of Marssonina coelomycetous anamorph of Microdochium panattonianum causes shot holes on live leaf of Cichorium intybus

Foodplant / spot causer
amphigenous colony of Ramularia hyphomycetous anamorph of Mycosphaerella hieracii causes spots on live leaf of Cichorium intybus

Plant / resting place / within
puparium of Ophiomyia pinguis may be found in Cichorium intybus

Foodplant / parasite
pycnium of Puccinia hieracii var. hieracii parasitises Cichorium intybus
Other: minor host/prey

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 16
Specimens with Barcodes: 40
Species With Barcodes: 1

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked

Common Chicory appears to prefer full sun and a heavy soil that contains clay or gravel. This plant is typically found in locations that are mesic to dry, and it withstands drought rather well. Road salt and alkaline conditions are tolerated better than most plants. The foliage can appear rather battered-looking by the end of a hot dry summer. Range & Habitat