Radicchio (Italian Chicory, Escarole)

• Common Name: Radicchio (Italian Chicory, Escarole)
• Latin Name: Chicorum intybus
• Family Name: Asteracaea/Compositae

This cultivated variety of the Wild Chicory is a leafy vegetable used as a salad plant and has a rather bitter taste. There is some reference to Radicchio having worming properties, but also to it causing damage in human retinal tissue if eaten in excess.  However, as most of the toxic compounds are contained in the roots the leaves and flowers can be offered as a small part of a varied diet.