Plants

common chicory

Cichorium intybus L.

Family: Asteraceae · Genus: Cichorium

Italian dandelion

Placenta I Medium No biomass production

common chicory — Original book source: Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885, Gera, Germany · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Bitter perennial leafy green with deep taproots — an excellent soil decompactor. Pasini lists it in the medium stratum of Tabela 3. Leaves used in salads and sautés; roasted roots substitute for coffee.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage: Placenta I
Ecological role: Pioneer
Primary stratum: Medium
Strata: Medium
Biomass class: No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Soil pH range: 4.5–8.3
Preferred soil texture: Sandy, Loamy, Clayey
Hardiness zones: 3–9

Morphology

Mature height: 0.2–0.5 m
Root system: Taproot
Root depth: Deep
Growth rate: Very fast
Lifespan: ≤ 2 years
Time to first harvest: 3 months

Biomes & climate

Atlantic Forest Suitable
Cerrado Suitable

Köppen classes

Tropical savanna with dry winter (Aw) Suitable
Subtropical with dry winter (Cwa) Suitable
Humid subtropical (Cfa) Suitable

Where it fits in a guild

Common chicory takes the Medium stratum in the Placenta I phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest of common chicory?

The first harvest of common chicory comes around 3 months after planting.

How tall does common chicory grow?

At maturity, common chicory reaches 0.2–0.5 m tall.

What stage and stratum does common chicory occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, common chicory belongs to the placenta i stage, occupying the medium stratum.

Functions

🍎 Fruit Soil decompactor Medicinal

Propagation

Seed

Citations

Pasini, F. & Guimarães, L. (2017) — Tabela 3 (Incaper) , p. 116 (primary_stratum)
Plants For A Future (PFAF) — Cichorium intybus (height_max_m, ph_min, ph_max, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max, root_system, root_depth, soil_texture_preference, propagation)