Chicory (Cichorium intybus):
This is the wild field flower "Chicory". In summer it grows extensively along the North Okanagan roadways, fence lines and open spaces and is commonly called "Blue Sailors".

The root of this wild flower is the same chicory root, that when roasted, is used to replace coffee or to mellow the taste of some coffee blends.

The flowerheads are numerous, placed on tough twig-like stem-leaves, along which the ranged, large, bright blue flowers open, generally in clusters of two or three about the size and shape of the Dandelion.

When fully expanded, the blooms are rather large and of a delicate tint of blue: the colour is said to specially appeal to the humble bee. They are in blossom from July to September. However sunny the day, by the early afternoon every bloom is closed, its petal-rays drawing together. Here, it closes about noon and opens between 6 and 7 in the morning.

Chicory grows in places where the soil is of a light and sandy nature and it is freely to be found on waste land, open borders of fields and by the roadside, and is easily recognized by its tough, twig-like stems. The long carrot-like root can be dry roasted and ground as an additive or substitute for coffee. (copied from Wikipedia the free encyclopedia)