Common Chicory (Note: This is a herbaceous perennial, not a tree)
Cichorium intybus · Herbaceous perennial flower/herb (Non-woody)
Plant Family
Asteraceae (Daisy family)
Tree Category
Wildflower / Herb / Forage Plant / Weed
Variety / Cultivar
None specified; wild-type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 10
About This Tree
While not a tree, this plant grows from a deep taproot into a stiff, angular, branched stem. It features lower basal leaves and smaller upper stem leaves, culminating in bright blue (rarely pink or white) flower heads that typically open in the morning and close by afternoon.
Leaf Characteristics
Basal leaves are large, lobed, and dandelion-like; upper stem leaves are much smaller, alternate, lanceolate, and sessile or clasping the stem (as seen in the photo).
Bark Characteristics
Not applicable as it lacks true wood; the stems are green to reddish-brown, rigid, tough, and slightly hairy/pubescent.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia; widely naturalized in North America and Australia
Growing Season
Emerges in spring; flowers primarily from mid-summer to early fall (July to October); dormant in winter
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun is required for flowering; highly drought-tolerant once established; thrives in well-drained, often poor or compacted soils.
Mature Size
Mature height of 1 to 5 feet; spread of 1 to 2 feet; growth rate is fast during the blooming season.
Special Characteristics
Edible leaves (endive/radicchio types); roots can be roasted and ground as a coffee substitute; notable for intense blue pigments and salt tolerance along roadsides.
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts honeybees, bumblebees, and various flies; seeds are eaten by goldfinches and other small birds; provides pollen in mid-to-late summer when other sources may be scarce.