Endive and chicory look and behave similarly and are often confused for the same plant, but they're different species that won't cross -- the crossing risk you actually need to manage is other endive varieties flowering nearby.
New to terms like isolation distance or outcrossing? See the Seed-Saving Glossary.
Seed-Saving Difficulty
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Difficult
High crossing risk
How It's Pollinated
Insect-pollinated (high outcrossing)
(High crossing risk)
Scientific name: Cichorium endivia
Domestic Crops It Can Cross With
- Other endive varieties
- Does not cross with chicory -- different species (Cichorium intybus) despite the family resemblance
Wild Relatives & Feral Species
- No significant wild relatives in most home garden regions
Separation Distances Required
Minimum: 400m between varieties
Recommended: 800m for reliable purity
Strict: Bag flower heads for guaranteed purity
Seed-Saving Strategies
- Biennial in most climates -- overwinter plants or lift and replant
- Allow the dandelion-like flower heads to dry and seed to fluff
- Harvest before seed disperses on the wind
- Store dry -- viable 5+ years