Science & Nature • Plant

Chicory

Chicory usually refers to *Cichorium intybus*, a perennial flowering plant in the aster family native to Eurasia and now naturalized in many other regions.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Chicory usually refers to *Cichorium intybus*, a perennial flowering plant in the aster family native to Eurasia and now naturalized in many other regions. It is known for its blue flowers, deep taproot, and uses as a leafy vegetable, coffee substitute, forage crop, and medicinal plant.

Taxonomy and description

Chicory is a member of the family Asteraceae and is generally a perennial, taprooted herb. It usually bears blue flowers, though white or pink forms are also reported.

Distribution and habitat

The plant is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced widely elsewhere. It is commonly found along roadsides, railroads, disturbed sites, and waste ground.

Uses

Chicory has long been used as food and as a coffee substitute, especially from its roasted roots. It is also cultivated for forage and has a history of medicinal use.

Common names for chicory may also be used for related plants, especially *Cichorium endivia* and cultivated endive forms. This can make the name ambiguous in everyday usage.

Key facts

Chicory is most often identified with *Cichorium intybus*, a perennial herb in the daisy family.
It has bright blue flowers and a long taproot, and commonly grows in roadsides, disturbed ground, and fields.
The plant has been cultivated for its leaves, roots, and buds, and its roots are roasted as a coffee substitute.
Chicory has been naturalized across much of North America and other regions outside its native range.
It is also grown as a forage crop and is valued for its nutritional qualities in pasture systems.

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Canadian context

Chicory has naturalized across much of North America and is reported in Canadian provinces as part of the introduced flora, so it is relevant to Canadian gardeners, pasture managers, and foragers.[1][5]

Frequently asked questions

What is chicory?

Chicory usually means *Cichorium intybus*, a blue-flowered perennial herb in the aster family.

Where does chicory grow naturally?

It is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, and is now naturalized in many other regions, including much of North America.

How is chicory used?

Its leaves can be eaten as a vegetable or salad green, and its roots are roasted and used as a coffee substitute; it is also grown as forage.

Is chicory the same as endive?

Not exactly. Chicory and endive are closely related, and the name chicory is sometimes used for *Cichorium endivia* or cultivated endive types.

What does chicory look like?

It is a taprooted herb with leafy growth and typically bright blue flowers, though some plants have white or pink flowers.

Is chicory considered a weed?

In some settings it is treated as a roadside or disturbed-site plant, while in others it is valued as a useful crop or ornamental wildflower.

References

Wisconsin Horticulture — https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/chicory-cichorium-intybus/
Supports: Common chicory identification, native range, habitat, cultivation, and alternate use of the name for related plants.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/chicory
Supports: General description, native range, cultivation, and edible uses.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service — https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/Chicory.pdf
Supports: Forage chicory description and nutritional value.
Montana State University Extension — https://www.montana.edu/extension/invasiveplants/extension/monthly-weed-posts/2021_november-chicory.html
Supports: Native range, taprooted habit, and occurrence across North America.
NSW Department of Primary Industries — https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pastures-and-rangelands/species-varieties/pf/factsheets/chicory/part-b
Supports: Plant type, origin, naturalization, and coffee-substitute use of the root.
Penn State PlantVillage — https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/chicory/infos
Supports: Crop uses, growth habit, and names of cultivated forms such as radicchio and Belgian endive.