Genus: Cichorium (Endive, Chicory)
Life
> eukaryotes >
Archaeoplastida >
Chloroplastida
>
Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants)
> Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants)
> Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering
plants)
> Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Asterids
> Euasterid II > Order:
Asterales > Family: Asteraceae > Tribe: Lactuceae
The eight species are native to Europe, the Mediterranean region and Ethiopia.
Four species are cultivated in southern Africa but
Cichorium intybus (Chicory) is also
found as an escape in natural areas near where it is cultivated.
Species naturalised southern Africa
List from
Plants of
southern Africa - an online checklist (SANBI) and
Flora of Zimbabwe.
Cichorium intybus
(Chicory) Eaten raw (eg. in salads), or braised or fried. Root used
as substitute of coffee. Originates from Europe and western Asia. Besides being
cultivated, it also grows as a weed in South Africa. |
|
Other species, cultivated in southern Africa
List from Glen (2002).
Cichorium calvum
Native from tropical Africa to Pakistan. |
|
Cichorium endivia
(Endive)
Mainly used in salads.
Originates from Southern Asia and northern China. The broad-leafed variety is known as escarole. |
|
Cichorium glandulosum
Native to Turkey and Syria. |
|
|