June 28, 2016

Chicory, the Wild Urban Herb

This cousin of dandelions grows wild and brilliant blue flowers. Have you seen it in your neighborhood?

Credit: DNLee

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This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

I was driving into work this morning and I spotted a very familiar herb growing wild and wide on the side of the road - a burgeoning chicory bush

Chicory is an edible plant. In fact, it has been used as a coffee substitute for decades. I think the flower is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Before moving to St. Louis, I can't recall ever seeing such a plant before down south; but it obviously does. Louisiana residents famously drink chicory coffee.

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Chicory can grow anywhere. It is a hardy plant and very tolerant of poor soils. These pictures are from my time in St. Louis. This patch of Chicory flowers were growing out of asphalt from an old parking lot of a closed down factory in North St. Louis.

I wouldn't make coffee out of these plants, but I do enjoy this flower. It's nice to know it volunteers itself so readily to places where few other beautiful flowers grow.

Have you seen any chicory around your neighborhood?
If so, drop me a comment and share your photos of your Urban Wildlife sightings at my Facebook Page: Urban Science Adventures! ©.

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