Definition

Noun: 1. A perennial herb (Cichorium intybus) native to Europe, with bright blue flowers, cultivated for its root and its leaves. The plant has two primary cultivated forms: one for its large, edible root (often roasted and ground as a coffee substitute or additive) and another for its leaves (used as a salad green).

Usage

• The chicory plant is valued both agriculturally and culinarily.
• You can grow a chicory plant in your garden for its bitter, crisp leaves.
• The root of the chicory plant is dried, roasted, and ground.

Examples

• The farmer has a field of chicory plants destined for the coffee industry.
• I added some fresh leaves from the chicory plant to my salad for extra crunch.
• Chicory plant roots can be quite long and taproot-like.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical and agricultural contexts, the term chicory plant specifically distinguishes the whole herb () from its harvested parts (chicory root, chicory leaves).
• The phrase "cultivated as a chicory plant" implies intentional growing for the purpose of harvesting either its root or its leaves.

Variants and Related Words

• Chicory (noun): The common name for the plant. It can also refer specifically to the harvested root or the cultivated leaves (e.g., radicchio, endive are types of chicory).
• Succory (noun): An archaic or regional name for the chicory plant.
• Cichorium intybus (noun): The scientific Latin name for the species.

Synonyms

• Blue sailors (noun, chiefly US): A common name for the wild chicory plant, referring to its blue flowers.
• Cornflower (noun, in some regional contexts): Note: This can cause confusion as "cornflower" typically refers to a different plant (). It is a synonym only in certain local dialects.

Different Meanings

• Chicory (as a standalone noun) can also refer to:
  • The roasted, ground root of the chicory plant, used as a coffee additive or substitute.
  • The curly, often red or white, bitter leaves of certain cultivated varieties (e.g., radicchio) used in salads.

Noun

1. perennial Old World herb having rayed flower heads with blue florets cultivated for its root and its heads of crisp edible leaves used in salads