Wildflower Wednesday August edition. The wildflower for August is Chicory. This flower always makes me smile. To some it’s just a “ditch weed” or something’s that grows in a disturbed area. To me, it brings back memories of my Great Grandma, affectionately called “Great” by all her great grandkids and their friends. She enjoyed birdwatching, and had the Birds of Ohio field guide and binoculars by her window at all times. She also always had cookies in her cookie jar, and baked German Chocolate cakes on Saturdays to lure family over for Sunday afternoon visits while golf played (way too loudly) on the TV in the background. Us kids used to sneak the remote and turn down the volume hoping she wouldn’t notice 🙂 What does this have to do with Chicory flowers? Well, she always sang a strange little song:
Chickery chick, cha-la, cha-la
Check-a-la romey in a bananika
Bollika, wollika, can’t you see
Chickery chick is me?
If you care to laugh I found the entire song here with its lyrics here.
Though the song has nothing to do with the wildflower, when I see Chicory blooming I always have that song in my head… and now you will too (sorry, not sorry).
- Scientific Name: Cichorium intybus
- Family: Asteraceace
- Grows: Roadsides, disturbed areas with poor soil
- Common Names: Common Chicory, Chicory, Cornflowers, Coffeeweed, Blue Sailors
- Blooming Time: Mid to late summer, early fall
- Bloom Colors: Sky blue, sometimes white or pinkish hue
- Height: 2+ feet tall. If continuously cut it will bloom lower to the ground
*Photo taken in Gettysburg National Military Park*
The lower basal leaves are similar to that of a dandelion. A thick stem will have multiple blooms along the upper portion. The flowers open with the sun, and only bloom for the day. Flowers that are pollinated will form seeds, that drop to the ground upon ripening.
Fun fact: The plant has many health benefits, and is even used a coffee substitute (I think I’ll stick with the real thing personally!). I am not an expert in these benefits- but it was fun to read about the plants various uses.
This wildflower has not been featured in any Baby Ranger Books. I saw one blooming in my yard a few days ago and couldn’t resist the urge to pick it for this month Wildflower Wednesday! Have a fantastic month!!
As always- go on an adventure, no matter what day it is, and see what you can find growing in the wild! Tag me in pictures with your findings!
You must be logged in to post a comment.