Endive is a leaf vegetable belonging to the genus Cichorium, which includes several similar bitter-leafed vegetables. Species include Cichorium endivia (also called endive), Cichorium pumilum (also called wild endive), and Cichorium intybus (also called chicory). Chicory includes types such as radicchio, puntarelle, and Belgian endive. There is considerable confusion between Cichorium endivia and Cichorium intybus.

Cichorium endivia

There are two main varieties of cultivated C. endivia chicon:

Cichorium intybus

Cichorium intybus endive is popular in Europe, and is also known as leaf chicory.

Chemical constituents

Endive is rich in many vitamins and minerals, especially in folate and vitamins A and K, and is high in fiber. It also contains kaempferol.