Last week's mystery plant was the common roadside weed called chicory (Cichorium intybus). It bursts on the scene in August when its cheerful, bright blue flowers cover the plant. Other common names include blue sailors and coffeeweed.
Its cousin C. foliosum is grown for its leaves and is commonly known as endive, radicchio and witloof. Another relative, C. sativum, is grown for its roots, which, after being baked and ground, can be used as a coffee substitute. Several readers wrote that chicory is used in New Orleans to flavor coffee.
More than 150 readers – from Grass Valley, Davis, Quincy, Pollock Pines, Chico, Napa, Auburn, Lincoln, Roseville, Carmichael, Sacramento and more – responded, and almost all of them had the right answer. Many said it brought back memories of their childhood. Reader Linda Budge wrote: "Thanks for recognizing a lovely wildflower that Caltrans considers a weed. … Lady Bird Johnson would be proud of you."
The winner is Willa Pettygrove of Davis. She'll receive a copy of "Serene Gardens: Creating Japanese Design and Detail in the Western Garden" by Yoko Kawaguchi.
Thanks to everyone who sent answers.
– Pat Rubin
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