Cichorium intybus L. as a root vegetable in Italy and remarks on the infraspecific classification of the cultivated races of this species

Cichorium intybus has become an important vegetable and technical crop. Areas of northern Italy could be characterized as evolutionary hotspots. Ongoing evolutionary pathways include introgressions from wild relatives, other cultivated races of this species and the similar species Cichorium endivia. An infraspecific classification of Cichorium intybus is proposed. The advantages and disadvantages of both available Codes (ICBN and ICBNCP) for the infraspecific classification of cultivated plants are briefly discussed. Cichorium intybus is used as a root and leaf vegetable, as surrogate for coffee, as medicinal plant and a number of other purposes.