This herb with its azure blue flowers, like the dandelion tends to grow wild, however as dandelions are only a few inches tall, this plant can be up to four feet tall. As it grows without cultivation it is alternately called a wildflower, or a weed.
Egyptian and Roman writings mentioned Chicory and both cultures cultivated it as a vegetable as much as 5,000 years ago. It is considered a medicinal herb and was mentioned by the Greek physician Dioscorides.
Common chicory (Cichorium intybus) should not to be confused with the vegetable endive(Cichorium endivia).
Chicory is often seen on the roadside with Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota).
Chicory has a two-year life cycle. The first year it grows only leaves; then the plant dies down to the roots over winter and then in second season, it blooms.

According to earthnotes.tripod.com chicory contains inulin¹ , sugar, mineral salts, copper, vitamins B, C, K, P, sesquiterpine lactones (antibacterial lactucine, plus lactupicrine), anthocyanin, chicoric acid, pentosans, cichoriin, esculetin, esculin, alpha-lactucerol, monocaffeyltartaric acid, and tannin.

This herb has even been cultivated commercially as it's root can be dried and used either as a source of inulin or as a supplement or substitute for coffee.