Common Australian Garden Weeds

Cichorium intybus

Scientific name: Cichorium intybus L.


Habit of an old chicory plant (Cichorium intybus) that has regrown after being cut with a mechanical device.


The flowers of chicory along with leaves that have hairy margins.


A close-up of a chicory flower (note the tips of the 'petals' (rays) are divided into five serrations).

Common name:Chicory

Family: Asteraceae

Origin:

Native of northern Europe.

Habit:

Perennial herb developing robust branching stems and a thick taproot.

Habitat:

Widespread weed of untended areas such as roadsides and fields.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Stems are stout, ridged and branching. Leaves are arranged in a rosette in young plants, the upright stems developing alternate leaves. Basal leaves are different from upper leaves. Basal leaves have petioles (leaf stalks) up to 5 cm long with variously lobed and/or toothed blades. Upper leaves have stem clasping bases and no petioles. Some of the upper leaves have entire margins. Leaf size reduces as leaves are produced further up the stem, the range of leaf size is 5-22 x 1.5-7 cm.

Flowers and fruit

Flower-heads are bright blue or sometimes whitish and 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter. They are borne singly or in clusters on leafy upper stems. Fruit are 5-angled, cone-shaped (attached at the narrow end) and 2-3 mm long with a pappus of 1-2 rows of scales.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Perennial, blue flowering daisy with a rosette of thistle-like leaves and stiff branching stems developing a thick tap root.

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 1. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Anonymous. (1994). Queensland Vacsular Plants: Names and Distribution. Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane.