You are not incorrect
But the whole line is based on cooking herbs, made evident in the name of it's first evolution being "Bayleef" baring an obvious connection to the real world herb, a bay leaf.
So basically you can totally eat a Chikorita
Chikorita is supposed to be an Apatosaur mixed with a plant. As each evo is completely different in the plant its based on. I always though they looked like Pears with legs until the evolved though lol.