Edible annual leafy plant ( Cichorium endivia ) of the composite family .
It is variously believed to have originated in Egypt and Indonesia, and it has been cultivated in Europe since the 16th century. The many kinds of endive form two groups: the curly or narrow-leaved endive ( C. endivia , variety crispa ) and the Batavian, or broad-leaved, endive ( C. endivia , variety latifolia ), which is also called escarole. The former is used mostly for salads, the latter for cooking.