Chicory

chicory leaves
chicory green

Chicory

Cichorium intybus

Information Sheet (PDF)


List C - Control Recommended


General

  • Introduced from Mediterranean region
  • Sunflower family (Asteraceae)


Common Names

  • Chicory, Cornflower, Coffeeweed, Blue sailors


Habitat

  • Adapted to harsh, dry and infertile soils along roadsides
  • Perennial forb


Plant


Vegetation

  • ½ inch wide and 2 to 6 inches long
  • Leaves dark green with some red tones, lance shaped, deeply notched, fine hairs on both leaf surfaces
  • Plant 4 to 5 feet tall
  • Stems long, hollow. Nearly naked branching stalks distinguish chicory from dandelion


Roots

  • Taproot


Flower

  • Blue to lilac, sometimes white
  • Clustered
  • July to September
  • Up to 1 ½ inch wide


Seed

  • ¾ inch long
  • 3000 seeds per plant
  • Brown
  • Can remain dormant in soil for up to 6 years
  • Papus (parachute) present


Seedling

  • Looks like a large dandelion
  • Rosette early-spring


Reproduction

  • Seed


Control


Biological

  • None


Chemical


Cultural

  • Prevention
  • Removal - make sure the entire root is removed. Must be repeated as new plants germinate
  • Re-vegetation of disturbed sites


Mechanical

  • Burning - N/A
  • Grazing - N/A
  • Mowing - N/A


Use all chemicals according to the manufacturer's label. No specific recommendation or endorsement is made or implied by listing methods or products.