chicory plant
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- 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