How to identify Cultivated endive (Cichorium endivia)
Cultivated endive, also known as Broadleaved endive
Cultivated endive is a leafy vegetable that comprises a rosette of leaves collectively forming a loose head. This species is distinguished by its two varieties, each with unique leaf characteristics. The leaves of the first variety are notable for their curly, fringed edges, while the second variety features smooth, broad leaves. Both exhibit a green coloration with variations that may include pale yellow hues near the leaf center. Leaf bitterness may vary between the two types, with the first variety generally having a more pronounced bitter flavor.
Lifespan: Perennial, Annual, Biennial
Plant Type: Herb
Leaf Type: Semi-evergreen
Curly, fringed leaves in one variety, smooth and broad leaves in the other.
Pale blue flowers with radial ligule arrangement, blooming in morning hours.
Fruit is obovoid to cylindrical with ribbing, smooth exterior in brown to gray tones.
Deeply dissected, oblanceolate leaves with cuneate base and variable margins.
Green to reddish-brown stem, fuzzy near base, reaching up to 3 feet (90 cm).
The leaves of cultivated endive are characterized by their deeply dissected, oblanceolate shape, typically measuring 12-15 cm (4.7-5.9 inches) in length. Each leaf displays a cuneate base with one prominent vein extending from base to tip. The margin of the leaves is highly variable, ranging from shaggy and thin in endive to more substantial in escarole. Color transitions from white to light green in the center to darker green towards the edges. The texture is notably thin, especially in endive varieties.
The flowers of cultivated endive are pale blue and display a delicate ligule structure. They are typically self-pollinating and bloom on stems that rise notably above the foliage. Each flower opens predominantly during the morning hours. The individual petals, or ligules, are arranged in a radial pattern, creating an attractive star-like appearance. These flowers measure approximately 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) in diameter. Their subtle beauty and strategic blooming period make them an identifying characteristic of this plant.
The stem of cultivated endive is green to reddish-brown and can reach heights of up to 3 feet (90 cm). Near the base, the stem is covered with fine hairs, giving it a slightly fuzzy texture. As it ascends, the stem becomes smoother and can vary in thickness from 0.1 to 0.3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 mm). The stem is typically unbranched or sparsely branched, with nodes at regular intervals where leaves can emerge.
The fruit of cultivated endive manifests as an obovoid to cylindrical entity with a discernible ribbing on its surface. Exhibiting a hardy texture, each fruit capsule, or achene, typically measures up to approximately 0.16 inches (4 mm) in length. Its smooth exterior can range in color from a muted brown to a subtle grayish tone upon maturity, providing a distinct visual signature that aids in its recognition. The fruit's construction features a pappus, a tuft of hairs at the apex, which aids in wind dispersal, thereby enhancing the proliferation of cultivated endive across various habitats.
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Scientific Classification of Cultivated endive
