June 26, 2005
Chicory, Cichorium intybus
The striking blue of chicory flowers makes them a welcome addition to Nature's palette of summer colors. The plants have a long taproot that allows them to grow in hard, compacted soil, and that can be roasted and ground for a caffeine-free coffee substitute. That is probably why the plant was introduced many years ago from Europe. It now can be found almost anywhere in the U.S.