Saturday, July 25, 2009

Chicory

I have to admit that I'm being influenced by you. Before I began reading all of your blogs I would walk right past most flowers. Oh, I would take a few pictures at times, but I never really thought much about it. Now I will spot a flower from a distance and go after it with the same enthusiasm that I have when following any animal.

This influence hasn't just gone as far as to appreciate the beauty of a flower, or to know that it might make a good post. It has done both of those, but it has also done much more. I've actually been learning a thing or two. Now when I see a flower or other plant, the chances that I might actually know what I'm looking at are becoming greater and greater.

For instance, when I saw this Chicory plant growing at one of my favorite parks I instantly knew what it was! I don't really remember where I learned this, or even if it was from one source or it came from a combined effort of several of you. The important thing is that I did indeed know, and it's thanks to all of you, my wonderful teachers!

Of course, I'm still not completely sure of my knowledge yet, so I made sure I checked the internet for confirmation and a little information on these lovely little flowers. This whole plant seems to be useful for so many things that I can't list them all here. Don't worry though because I'm going to supply you with some very valuable links if you want to know more.

A lot of you know that this plant is sometimes added to coffee, and it has even been used to make coffee all by itself. This plant has been also used for medicinal purposes, such as easing an upset stomach, heartburn, and headaches. Again, so many to list for this herb. Since I can't possibly tell it all, here are the links I promised you.

Chicory - Herb Database - So much great information, and you can follow this link to a huge list of herbs and information about them.

Chicory - Wildflower Information.org - A good place to find information on several wildflowers.

Chicory - Asheville Natural - A nice little place with good information on chicory and other wildflowers.

Chicory - Wikipedia - This one's easy. Most of you know Wikipedia, but it has good information, so I listed it.

Okay, that's enough of that! I could list sites like these all day long, but that would start to get boring, now wouldn't it? There are plenty of other sites out there like these. All you have to do is look.

Here's a view of one of the many chicory plants where I took these pictures. The first flower was located right in front of my usual parking spot. It was almost as if it was waiting there for me. The front of the park near the parking area is just full of these plants. There are also several others, like dandelions, clover, and daisies out there.

I've been featuring a lot more flowers lately, even though I still see the animals out there. I've been learning that plants and flowers have just as much to offer as animals and other things. Even something that doesn't run away can give a fun everyday adventure if we just take the time to look.

20 comments:

  1. You beat me to these flowers! They are absolutely beautiful. It's really the everyday adventure if we just take time to look..

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  2. I remember my father always drank tea, but when I was younger I can also remember there was a strange bottle of syrup in the kitchen cupboard. Coffee with chicory essence. I got my Mum to make it for me, I liked it; and it has led to a lifelong affair with coffee. I have never seen this syrup again, I wonder if it is still around?

    AV

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  3. Ratty! I LOVE chickory. I know what you mean about things that sit still for you so you can ID them. I works for rocks, mushrooms, lichen , too! Thanks for another super post. Diane Tucker, Estate Naturalist,Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, CT

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  4. One of my passions is painting flowers, keep those beautiful photo's coming our way.

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  5. Though this name is absolutely a stranger to me, but the flower is beautiful, and it inspires us to learn, from daily discoveries, big or small, normal or abnormal, simple or complicated.

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  6. wow, so beautiful, the 2nd one really is like a magnet to my eyes, very lovely. i love flowers, and am glad you are sharing your beautiful finds to us as well.

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  7. I love the 2nd picture too. Looks like you did your homework successfully Ratty :)

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  8. I love the color of the chicory. I've always wanted to try roasting the roots to make that coffee substitute, but I never have.

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  9. i have seen these before, but never knew what they were. i am going to check out your links now and see how to utilize them. thanks ratty for a great post and wonderful pics!

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  10. Ratty, I love chicory and these flowers are so delicate and pretty. I'm glad you are taking floral photos as well. BTW you have a mention over at my blog. YOu inspired me.

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  11. I remember my grandmother would always add chicory to coffee. I have never seen the chicory flower before, it is beautiful.

    I like your flower photos. Sometimes getting a good shot of a particular flower can a little challenging. Also you might find a little visitor now and then.

    Thanks for the great story Ratty, I have learned about Chicory today.

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  12. Icy BC - I hope you still post some photos of these if you have them. I'd love to see them. The more pictures the better.
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    Argentum Vulgaris - I don't know if the syrup is still around, but I know they make coffee with chicory in it. I hope you find the syrup. If you ever do, I'd like to know about it too.
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    Diane - I've been looking for good ways to feature things that sit still. They are most of nature so their stories should be told.
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    A.J.Johnson - I'll definitely keep doing the flowers as I find them. I get distracted if something flits across my path though. :)
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    Rainfield - This is one of our very interesting plants here. It's a very good plant to have around.
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    Betchai - I love that second one too. I like the neon look of it.
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    VanillaSeven - It's my favorite too. I like the very closeup details of flowers, and the information of a great plant like this.
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    Sharkbytes - I've been wondering how it tastes. I remember them advertising coffee with chicory.
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    PJ - That first link about the herbs is I think a very good one for any nature lover.
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    Poetic Shutterbug - I'm glad I'm really seeing these flowers now too. A whole new world is opening up for me.

    Your article is wonderful! Thanks for mentioning me. And it's always good to see geese.
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    SquirrelQueen - The strange thing is that I haven't tasted chicory yet. I will though. The little visitors on the flowers are my favorite part.

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  13. Ratty I remember chicory as a kid, poor mans coffee in the UK!

    It was a big component of CAMP coffee which I believe you can still buy today.

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  14. Hi Ratty, thanks for your return visit. I have followed this time round. I will add your link on Blogger's Cafe, check it out:
    http://avarchives.blogspot.com

    The chances of finding such exotic things here in Brazil are remote, but one doesn't stop looking.

    AV

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  15. I'm glad you're going to be doing flowers because that was an incredible shot.
    When you zoomed out, I recognized the plant from our fields and thanks to you I now know we have chickory.
    That was interesting and beautiful too.

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  16. One of my favorite flower colors is Chickory--it is just lovely! I didn't realize it also has so many other uses.

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  17. I don't know if we have chicory here in the U.P....now I will have to search for it.
    LOVED that macro shot of it.
    Great job, Ratty.
    I am so glad you are interested in flowers now and taking them...it is a passion of mine!

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  18. Mike - I should start looking for coffee with chicory. I'm getting very curious about how it tastes now.
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    Argentum Vulgaris - Thanks for the link on your Blogger's Cafe.

    To me the things in Brazil are all exotic.
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    Mountain Woman - Now that you know that you have chicory I hope you are able to get a few of the benefits from it.
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    Lin - I knew it had a few uses, but I didn't know they were so many either.
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    The Retired One - I hope you find some chicory there. That macro shot was something I felt I just had to do. That part of the flower looked so interesting.

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  19. We have chicory too! It appears to be a common weed across the US. I remember the first place I saw it too. I was driving up highway 5 and it was in the median and I kept thinking "WHAT is that FLOWER!!" I figured it out after I collected some.

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  20. Julia - It's that kind of discovery that's fun. I knew what it was as soon as I saw it. I wish I knew why.

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