--- { "id": "chicory", "name": "Chicory", "scientific": "Cichorium intybus", "category": "invasive", "status": "Colorado noxious weed · List C — Manage widespread weeds", "status_sources": [ "CO-rules-2025" ], "warning": "Roadside and pasture spread", "warning_tone": "caution", "aliases": [], "taxonomy_note": "Cultivated chicories and roadside plants can share a species name. This guide does not assess food harvesting or roadside contamination.", "source_ids": [ "CO-rules-2025", "N-cichorium-intybus", "S27", "Fremont-list-definitions" ], "description": "Chicory: Roadside and pasture spread. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.", "claim_evidence": [ { "label": "Recognize", "sources": [ "N-cichorium-intybus" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "chicory-1" }, { "label": "Plants & habitat", "sources": [ "N-cichorium-intybus" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "chicory-2" }, { "label": "People", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "chicory-3" }, { "label": "Dogs & cats", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "chicory-4" }, { "label": "Other animals", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "chicory-5" }, { "id": "chicory-list-meaning", "label": "State-list meaning", "sources": [ "Fremont-list-definitions" ], "scope": "Colorado management-category definition; species classification retains its original status sources", "note": "Plain-language editorial label for a management category; not a toxicity or danger rating.", "reviewed": "2026-09-07" } ], "noxious_class": "C", "research": { "status": "researching", "label": "Still researching this plant", "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.", "open_questions": [ { "area": "People", "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.", "related_claim_ids": [ "chicory-3" ] }, { "area": "Dogs & cats", "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.", "related_claim_ids": [ "chicory-4" ] }, { "area": "Other animals", "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.", "related_claim_ids": [ "chicory-5" ] }, { "area": "Identification", "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.", "related_claim_ids": [] }, { "area": "Expert review", "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.", "related_claim_ids": [] } ], "expert_review": "pending" }, "noxious_class_label": "C — Manage widespread weeds", "source": "content/plants/chicory.md" } --- # Chicory *Cichorium intybus* **Colorado noxious weed · List C — Manage widespread weeds.** [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2) Widespread and well established. Control is recommended by the state; local governments may require management. This is a management category, separate from danger ratings. [Category source](https://fremontcountyco.gov/weed-control/weed-identification) · [What the lists mean](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/#weed-lists). > **Roadside and pasture spread.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/). **Identification caveat:** Cultivated chicories and roadside plants can share a species name. This guide does not assess food harvesting or roadside contamination. ## Still researching this plant {#research-status} This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.** ## Three views of this plant Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence. ![Cichorium intybus: Tall branched flowering plant above broad lower leaves at a grassy field edge.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/common-priority-photos-cichorium-intybus-02-02-habit.jpg) **habit** — Tall branched flowering plant above broad lower leaves at a grassy field edge. Photo: H. Zell; [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cichorium_intybus_001.JPG); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Cichorium_intybus_001.JPG). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop. ![Cichorium intybus: Blue flower heads among long green leaves and stiff branching stems.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/common-priority-photos-cichorium-intybus-02-07-foliage-flowers.jpg) **foliage-flowers** — Blue flower heads among long green leaves and stiff branching stems. Photo: 4028mdk09; [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pflanze_mit_blauen_Bl%C3%BCten.JPG); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Pflanze_mit_blauen_Bl%C3%BCten.JPG). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop. ![Cichorium intybus: Pale blue strap-shaped florets form a single chicory flower head.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/common-priority-photos-cichorium-intybus-02-09-flower.jpg) **flower** — Pale blue strap-shaped florets form a single chicory flower head. Photo: Isidre blanc; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CICHORIUM_INTYBUS_-_MORIPOL_-_IB-765_(Xicoria).JPG); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/CICHORIUM_INTYBUS_-_MORIPOL_-_IB-765_%28Xicoria%29.JPG). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop. ## Recognize Bright blue flowerheads grow along wiry stems above a basal leaf rosette; the plant has a deep taproot. [N-cichorium-intybus](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cichorium-intybus/) ## Plants & habitat Naturalized in disturbed ground, fields and roadsides. The source describes less frequent invasion of intact natural habitats; this is not a top poisoning priority. [N-cichorium-intybus](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cichorium-intybus/) ## People The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for people. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Dogs & cats The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for dogs or cats. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Other animals The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for livestock. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Before taking action Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/) ## References - **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025. - **N-cichorium-intybus** — [cichorium intybus — Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cichorium-intybus/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:04:55+00:00. Locator: Description; Attributes; Problems; Poisonous to Humans. - **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories. [Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=chicory) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care. # Appendix for agents ## Open research questions - **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section. - **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports. - **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species. - **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat. - **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary. ## Identity and evidence boundaries Cultivated chicories and roadside plants can share a species name. This guide does not assess food harvesting or roadside contamination. All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. | Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation | |---|---|---|---|---| | chicory-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | N-cichorium-intybus | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | chicory-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-cichorium-intybus | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | chicory-3 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | chicory-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | chicory-5 | Other animals | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | ## Further work for an agent - Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment. - Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county. - Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json). ## State-list label provenance The label “C — Manage widespread weeds” is this guide’s plain-language summary of [Fremont County’s Colorado noxious-weed definitions](https://fremontcountyco.gov/weed-control/weed-identification) [Fremont-list-definitions]. The letter and species assignment retain the status sources above. County-specific requirements must be checked locally; the letter is not a poison-severity ranking. --- Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/chicory/ Content revised: 2026-09-07T03:50:00Z Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/chicory/index.md Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/chicory/index.md.txt Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json