Chicory - introduced (*Cichorium intybus)

Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family).

Native of Europe and Asia.

Other names: Succory.

Occurrence: A widespread and conspicuous summer flowering weed. It is very common in Castlemaine. Chicory usually does not persist in grazed paddocks.

Identification:

• the flower resembles a blue dandelion in size and shape
• it flowers in late summer
• it grows to about a metre high
• there are usually several tough twiggy stems, with flowers growing along the stems.

The root has been roasted and used as a coffee substitute, and it is grown as a culinary and medicinal plant.

R: Chicory in Blakeley Road, Castlemaine. Most of the leaves are at the base of the plant.

L: Flower. Happy Valley Castlemaine. R: Kennedy St, Castlemaine.

Bottom: Hundreds of Chicory plants. Froomes Road, near the creek. Castlemaine