Common Chicory
Cichorium intybus · Herbaceous Perennial (Not a tree)
Plant Family
Asteraceae
Tree Category
Wildflower/Roadside Herb
Variety / Cultivar
Wild/Common
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 10; highly adaptable to various climates.
About This Tree
While often mistaken for a woody plant due to its stiff, tall stems, this is a herbaceous perennial. It has a distinctive spindly, gangly form with bright sky-blue daisy-like flowers. It grows from a deep taproot.
Leaf Characteristics
Basal leaves are lanceolate and lobed (similar to dandelion), while upper stem leaves are smaller, alternate, and clasping the stem with entire or slightly toothed margins.
Bark Characteristics
Not applicable (Herbaceous stem). The stems are green to reddish-brown, rigid, angled, and can become tough/fibrous with age but do not form true bark.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eurasia and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and Australia
Growing Season
Blooms from early summer to first frost; flowers typically open in the morning and close by afternoon.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun; thrives in poor, well-drained soils; highly drought-tolerant once established.
Mature Size
Height: 1 to 5 feet; Spread: 1 to 2 feet; Growth rate: Fast.
Special Characteristics
Renowned for its edible roots (used as a coffee substitute) and leaves (endive/radicchio). It is extremely salt-tolerant and thrives in compacted soil along roadsides.
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts honey bees, bumblebees, and various flies/butterflies. Seeds provide food for goldfinches and other small birds.