Chicory Cichorium intybus
Table of Contents
Plant family: Asteraceae
Aliases: Blue dandelion, blue sailors, coffee weed
Flowering period: July – October
Flower colour: Light blue
Preferred soil type: Free draining
Habitat: Grassland, roadside verges, waste ground
Status: Common
General information
Chicory is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is known for its blue flowers, bitter leaves and milky latex sap. It typically grows between 30 cm and a metre in height.
Identification
Value for wildlife
A variety of pollinators visit chicory, including bees, butterflies and beetles, which come to feed on its rich source of nectar.
Uses for chicory
Although the leaves have a bitter taste, it has found its way into various cuisines and has been valued for its potential health benefits. The leaves can be used in salads to add a bitter flavor or cooked as a green vegetable.
The root of certain chicory varieties, when roasted and ground, can be used as a coffee substitute or blended with coffee for added flavor.
In traditional medicine it’s been used for various purposes. For example, it has been historically used to treat digestive issues and as a diuretic.
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