WILD FLOWERS BLUE AND PURPLE 



branches. Many tubular florets with prominent pur- 

 ple stamens and white pistils compose the head. 

 The latter is set in an egg-shaped, grayish green 

 cup, which is covered with short, weak prickers. The 

 flowers are fragrant and pleasing, but after they mature 

 they become anything but sightly. This species is 

 very common in cultivated fields and pastures and 

 along roadsides from Newfoundland to Virginia, 

 Minnesota and Nebraska, from July to September. 



CHICORY. SUCCORY. BLUE SAILORS 



Cicbbrium Intybus. Chicory Family. 



In grassy fields that slope to the sea, you may be 

 sure to find the beautiful, pale blue flowered Chicory 

 at its best. It fairly continues the colour scheme of 

 sky and water, and on bright, sunshiny mornings, 

 when everything is still sparkling with dew, it lends 

 a rare and irresistible fascination to the scene. And 

 like most lovely flowers, it seems to inspire the 

 beholder with a keen sense of gratitude and reverence 

 for the glorious privilege of living with it, which, 

 in this work-a-day world, is altogether too often 

 obscured by those who allow themselves to become 

 unnecessarily house bound. Chicory, however, is 

 probably better known as a substitute or an adulterant 

 for coffee, to which it is added to give colour and body. 

 The leaves, when young and tender, make an excel- 

 lent salad, which is much in favour in France. They 

 are also used as a pot herb. The smaller roots are 

 occasionally boiled, and served like carrots and pars- 



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