Hancock County, OHIO

Chicory

A perennial herb, Chicory was introduced to North America from Eurasia and is now abundant across the continent. The flowers are usually a clear blue-violet -- although occasionally a white- or pink-flowered form appears. Chicory can be roasted and the plant is often grown for its roots, which can be used as a substitute for coffee. The young, tender leaves can be used in salads, or cooked as greens. Chicory grows along roadsides, along field borders and on areas of waste ground more or less everywhere, but it does much better in areas with lots of rain. Flowering from April to October.