Cichorium intybus L.  

A spreading or erect, much branched perennial. Stems grooved, up to 120 cm long. Leaves tomentose or hairless. The basal ones lanceolate, pinnately lobed; the upper ones entire or distantly toothed. Flower heads blue, 2.5 to 4 cm across, solitary at the ends of long branches, or sessile along the branches; rarely in axillary clusters. Only ray florets present. Peduncles sometimes slightly swollen on the upper part. Involucre with two rows of bracts, the outer ones about half the inner ones. Achenes about 2.5 mm long, with a crown of scales 0.1 to 0.5 mm long. Scales without bristles.