Chicory
Cichorium intybus
A perennial with a basal leaf rosette, stiff branching stems and usually pale-blue flower heads. It occurs in open disturbed ground and is also cultivated. Young leaves are used as greens, flowers as a garnish, and cleaned roasted roots as a coffee alternative.
Native range
Europe, North Africa and western Asia; introduced across much of North America.
Typical season
Leaf, flower and root uses have different timing. Young leaves are less bitter; root collection removes the plant and needs permission. No single reviewed local monthly window is assigned to all parts.
Identification
Photograph the toothed basal leaves, branching stem and blue flower heads together. A leaf rosette alone can resemble dandelion and other daisies. Cultivated radicchio and root chicory differ in appearance. Common roadside growth is not a recommendation to harvest beside traffic or treated verges.