Chicory

Cichorium intybus

Chicory is a non-native plant introduced from Europe. It is found throughout the summer usually seen growing along roadsides.

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It is a wild, stringy looking plant with many blue flowers. The flowers only last a day so they are more prevalent earlier in the day.

The roots can be dried and used as a coffee substitute. The thick root is sliced, dried, roasted and then ground. It doesn’t have the rich aromatic flavor or caffeine like coffee.

There used to be a coffee that heavily advertised their brand to be enhanced with this plant. The advertisement made this plant sound like it was some kind of exotic flavor enhancer. I guess most people didn’t realize it was just a weed growing along the road.

(click for larger image)

Return from Chicory to blue wildflowers

NW Ohio Nature Oak Leaf

Chicory

Cichorium intybus

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