The plant Chicory belongs to the aster or sunflower family. It is a perennial plant that is variously known as the ‘blue sailor’ and ’succory’. It is an herbaceous perennial. This implies that it grows and blooms during the spring and summer seasons and then withers in the autumn and winter. In the following spring, it returns from its root-stock, rather than from seeds.
Chicory is often found as part of foliage that is, in clusters, and looks quite similar to plantain or dandelion. Its leaves are also of varying kinds. They could either be smooth-edged, looking like a tongue, or they could be saw-toothed.
The flower of chicory plant is usually light blue in colour. However, pink or white chicory is also not uncommon. A flowering stem can attain a height of up to six feet. The plant can survive sandy soil as well as extremes of drought conditions.
The tap root of chicory plants can grow quite long and appear like a carrot on being fully grown. In moderate hardpans, the root can penetrate through easily.
Chicory is known to have a high level of protein that is usually beneficially to ruminants such as sheep, goats and deer.
