Cichorium

Cichorium is a genus of plants, tribe Cichorieae, family Asteraceae, native to Europe and the Mediterranean region with some species native to the Middle East and Africa, containing two main cultivated species plus several wild species, seven of which are listed in current taxonomic treatments. Commonly known by names including chicory, endive, radicchio, Belgian endive, French endive, witloof, curly endive and escarole, common chicory, Cichorium intybus, is a bushy perennial herb with blue or lavender, and rarely white or pink, flowers, grown for either its leaves or its roots, the latter serving as a coffee substitute, while true endive, Cichorium endivia, is used as a salad green with a slightly bitter taste. The genus also serves as a food plant for the larvae of several lepidopteran species.