Cichorium intybus
S. Kelly Kearns, Wisconsin State Herbarium
Chicory is a common plant
with blue flowers and dandelion-like leaves. It grows up to
four feet tall and is usually seen in fields,
roadsides, and waste places. Chicory is a
perennial
plant, meaning it comes back every year. It grows best in
places with lots of sunshine; it does not do well in
shade. The flowers are
daisy-shaped, with a bluish-white center surrounded by
bluish-purple petals. Each flower is about one and a half
inches wide and grows on the stem without a flower
stalk.
Chicory blooms from June to October. Robert K. Kowal,
Wisconsin State Herbarium The leaves of Chicory
look very much like dandelion leaves. They grow up to six
inches long and are narrow with large teeth.
These leaves grow low to the ground. Chicory often grows where
other plants cannot. Like its dandelion cousin, the
roots
of Chicory can penetrate hard-packed soil. This plant only grows a
few flower heads at a time. Each flower lasts for one day.
Flowers attract many insects with their nectar
and pollen.
Bees, butterflies, and flies are some insects which visit
Chicory. Predator insects, such as yellow jackets and
lacewings come to Chicory for nectar as well as to catch
prey. Chicory seeds are eaten
by Wild Turkey and White-footed Mice. Rabbits and deer eat
the leaves and stems. Other animals that eat Chicory include
snails, slugs, and some caterpillars. Chicory grows alongside
other weeds and grasses,
including dandelions, Smooth Crabgrass, English Plantain,
Switchgrass, and thistles. It has a tough taproot,
which is hard to pull up. This means that the Chicory plant
can survive even after animals have eaten its
leaves. Robert K. Kowal,
Wisconsin State Herbarium
