Dandelion 'Italian Clio' is a cultivated variety of Italian dandelion, botanically *Cichorium intybus*, not the common wild dandelion (*Taraxacum officinale*). This F1 hybrid features large, deeply serrated, dark green upright leaves that are tender and uniform, with a tangy, slightly bitter flavor prized in Mediterranean cuisine. It grows vigorously as a cool-season crop, offering high yields and resistance to bolting during regrowth, making it ideal for multiple harvests. The plant forms an attractive rosette of leaves before potentially producing blue chicory-like flowers. Primarily used as a nutritious leafy green, young 'Clio' leaves add zest to fresh salads, pestos, or sandwiches, while larger mature leaves suit braising, stir-fries, soups, or steaming to mellow their bitterness. Often paired with fatty ingredients like olive oil or cheese, they provide vitamins, antioxidants, and traditional digestive benefits similar to other chicories. Gardeners and chefs value it for its productivity, tenderness, and reliable performance in home or market gardens. Mature Height: 2ftMature Width: 2ftLight: Full SunWater: Moderate Visit Roger's Gardens Herb Almanac * In-Store Pickup Available - Fees May Apply
