Chicory

Chicory grows in just about every field across the midwest! It makes the whole field a sea of blue, & I've loved these since I was small & they grew in all the fields around our house. Although I've never tried them, they ARE edible. They're considered "an edible perrenial herb". The old Egyptians apparently used the root to treat liver and gallbladder problems, as it stimulates both digestion & pancreatic secretion. It was also used during Napoleonic times as a substitute for coffee. The leaves (I love this--talk about multi-purpose) can be used as bandages over cuts & scrapes, or in salads. :)