Endive
Cichorium endivia

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An annual plant, or one which grows one year, then flowers the next. It grows 20-50 cm high and spreads 20-50 cm wide. The plant looks a lot like lettuce but the leaves are wrinkled near the edge. The leaves are single, broad and slightly toothed at the edge. The flower heads are greatly thickened and the outer flower bracts are almost equal in length. The outer bracts often have curved tips.

There are about 9 Cichorium species.

Where it is found

A warm temperate plant. Plants grow from sea level up to 2600 m altitude in the tropics. It needs a fertile soil and the soil needs to be well drained. It is more tolerant to heat, than lettuce. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Andorra, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cape Verde, China, Crete, Cuba, Cyprus, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Europe, France, Greece, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kiribati, Korea, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Nepal, North Africa, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, SE Asia, Serbia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Thailand, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. They have a slightly bitter taste. They can be boiled, steamed or cooked in soups. The broadleafed kinds are used in stews and the curled-leaf kinds are used in salads.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Not widely grown in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They are often transplanted. A spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm is suitable. Covering the plants for 2-3 weeks before harvesting, makes the leaves whiter, more tender and less bitter. It is possible to save seed. Plants which form a heart are covered with a cloth or pot to blanch them and reduce the bitterness.

Plants are ready about three months after transplanting.

Its other names

Local names

Achicoria blanca, Andewi, Endiba, Escarola, Escarole, Grumolo, Indiva, Kashini, Kasini, Kiku jisha, Ku ju, Phakkat-foi, Saladingita

Synonyms

Cichorium endivia var. crispum Lam.; Cichorium endivia var. latifolium Lam.;