Beautiful blue, a common color along roadsides right now. It is blooming time for Chicory (Cichorium intybus).
Chicory is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to western Asia, North Africa, and Europe.
It found its way to North America probably in the 1700s as European settlers were arriving on our shores.
The plants grow to 1.5 to 3 feet tall. The flowers are 1 to 1.5 inches across with 10 to 20 blue ray florets, each floret has 5 tiny teeth at its tip. At the center of the flowers are blue stamens with blue anthers. The flowers open in the morning and as the sun becomes the brightest the flowers close, that is unless it is cloudy, then those flowers will remain open longer.
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6 responses to “Beautiful Blue”
You can’t get much bluer than that!
Hi Jackie! The Chicory is CERTAINLY a lovely blue! I’m a big fan of COLOR and these flowers definitely take care of BLUE!
Thanks so much for reading my posts!
Bren
THANK YOU, THESE ARE SUCH BEAUTIFUL PICTURES OF A WONDERFUL PLANT.
Hi Ken! Thanks for your comment on the Chicory pictures being beautiful. I sure appreciate that! And yes, though not native it is for sure a lovely flower!
And thanks too, for reading my ramblings!
Bren
Thanks. Often ignored but one of my favorites. The absolute best blue.
Hi Bonny! Great to hear from you! We share the same feelings about Chicory. I love it. The only thing that could possibly make it better would be if it were native. But hey, it’s not invasive!
Thanks bunches for reading my ramblings!
Bren