Difference Between Jerusalem Artichoke and Chicory

1. Difference of blades

Jerusalem artichoke leaves are usually opposite, alternate in the upper part, and oval or ovate-elliptical in the lower part, about 10-16 cm long and 3-6 cm wide, with a broad cuneate or rounded base, sometimes slightly cordate, and the upper leaves are oblong to broadly lanceolate.

The basal leaves of chicory are oblanceolate-long elliptical, much wider than the former, about 15-34 cm long including petiole, about 2-4 cm wide, deeply pinnate, with serrated edges, the lobes on the top side are larger, gradually becoming smaller downwards, and the lobes are triangular or sickle-shaped. The stem leaves are ovate-oblanceolate to lanceolate.

2. The difference between flowers

Jerusalem artichoke has a capitulate inflorescence with relatively large flowers. The bracts are multi-layered, lanceolate, long-acuminated at the apex, oblong pedicels, 12-20 ligulate flowers, which are yellow in color, with oblong ligules and a tubular corolla.

Chicory also has a capitulate inflorescence. The bracts are cylindrical and two-layered, the outer layer is lanceolate, and the inner layer is linear-lanceolate. The flowers are ligulate and blue in color.