Cichorium intybus

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

Cichorium intybus
    n 1: perennial Old World herb having rayed flower heads with
         blue florets cultivated for its root and its heads of crisp
         edible leaves used in salads [syn: {chicory}, {succory},
         {chicory plant}, {Cichorium intybus}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Chicory \Chic"o*ry\, n. [F. chicor['e]e, earlier also
   cichor['e]e, L. cichorium, fr. Gr. ?, ?, Cf. {Succory}.]
   1. (Bot.) A branching perennial plant ({Cichorium Intybus})
      with bright blue flowers, growing wild in Europe, Asia,
      and America; also cultivated for its roots and as a salad
      plant; succory; wild endive. See {Endive}.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The root, which is roasted for mixing with coffee.
      [1913 Webster]