Plants of the Week Sept 15-21

Chickory (Cichorium intybus) and Valley Oak (Quercus lobata)

Chickory Flower (Wikipedia contributors. “Chicory.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.)

Post by Maria Felski

Species: Common Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Range: Europe, North America, and Australia

The Chicory is my favorite plant because of its ability to simultaneously balance beauty and practicality. Its flower petals characterized by a signature bright blue, the Chicory plant has been used in everything from salads and coffees to modern-day medicines. In fact, the root of the Chicory has even been effectively used as a method of eliminating intestinal worms.

Valley Oak (photo credit: Katie Van Patten)

Post by Katie Van Patten

Species:Valley Oak (Quercus lobata)

This tree is native to California and grows mostly in the valley and surrounding hills.  As an oak tree, its seeds come in the form of acorns. Due to the drought in California, a lot of these trees are suffering from lack of water.