endive

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• endive
• escarole
• cultivated endive

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cichorium intybus var. endivia
• Endivia crispa
• Cichorium endivia var. angustifolium
• Cichorium endivia var. latifolium
• Cichorium endivia var. crispum
• Cichorium crispum
• Cichorium endivia var. roborovskyi
• Cichorium endivia subsp. sativum
• Cichorium saticum var. crispum
• Endivia vulgaris

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. As a member of the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae, it is further classified under the genus Cichorium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution stretching across several different continents and climatic zones. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within the borders of Great Britain. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is also found growing in Belgium. Its range extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically occupying regions in Bulgaria and Sicilia. Finally, the distribution reaches into Northern Africa, where it is located in Egypt.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cichorium endivia is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it functions by producing seeds that remain dormant during unfavorable conditions, allowing the species to persist and re-emerge when environmental circumstances become suitable for growth. This life form strategy is further categorized under the therophyte designation, emphasizing its reliance on ephemeral seasonal growth to navigate its ecological niche.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Cichorium endivia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, typically functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. It is a terrestrial species that exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, though it does not require external structures for support. The plant displays an erect shoot orientation, reaching a minimum height of 0.3 m, with a mean height of approximately 0.75 m, and can attain a maximum height of up to 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.75 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cichorium endivia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in temperate environments. As a non-carnivorous plant, it relies entirely on its root system and soil nutrient uptake for sustenance rather than capturing prey. The plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it depends on the availability of nitrates and ammonium in the soil to support its protein synthesis and growth. Morphologically, its vegetative structure supports these physiological processes through leaves that typically reach a maximum length of 15 cm and a maximum width of 5 cm, providing the necessary surface area for light interception and gas exchange.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cichorium endivia is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in August, though the timing can be variable. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects, with bees identified as key pollinators. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive cycle culminates in the production of fruit classified as an achene. These fruits are indehiscent and range in length from a minimum of 0.25 cm to a maximum of 0.35 cm, with an average length of 0.3 cm. The seeds contained within the fruit are quite small, possessing a mean mass of 0.0013975 g, with values ranging from a minimum of 0.00148 g to a maximum of 0.00171 g. For the spread of its offspring, the plant employs an autochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning it relies on self-dispersal mechanisms to distribute its seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.3 cm

Fruit length min:

0.25 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00171 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0013975 g

Seed mass min:

0.00148 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cichorium endivia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Cureus
2. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Root

1. RSC advances

Chemicals

Cichorium endivia has 80 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Coumarins, caffeic acid, ALUMINUM, ARSENIC.

Flavonoids

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
2. RSC advances
3. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Coumarins

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

caffeic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BARIUM

1. Dr. Duke

BORON

1. Dr. Duke

CADMIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cichorium endivia has 542 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acarifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Adjuvant

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Cichorium endivia has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Escherichia coli, antidiabetic, cancer, gallstones, gastroenteritis.

Escherichia coli

1. Cureus

Antidiabetic

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Cancer

1. RSC advances

Gallstones

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Gastroenteritis

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Oxidative stress

1. RSC advances

Wounds

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Preparations

Cichorium endivia has 5 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Leaf Extracts, MeOH extracts, aqueous extract, isopropanol, lipophilic fractions.

Leaf extracts

1. Cureus

Meoh extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extract

1. Cureus

Isopropanol

1. Cureus

Lipophilic fractions

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine