Leaves are used in salads. It is reported to have been introduced to United States by Thomas Jefferson in 1774. The flowers are at their best in the morning, but begin to look ragged by noon. This feature, and their blue colour, gave rise to the common name Ragged Soldiers. Return to list Chicory flower.
Flower stalk is scaly.
The common name is derived from the appearance of the leaf to a colt's foot. This is one of the very few plants that produces flowers before its leaves appear. The flowers and leaves are reported to be carcinogenic. A perennial that spreads by seed. Introduced from Europe.