Chicory
Weeds
succory, blue sailors, blue daisy, coffee-weed, bunk
Cichorium intybus
Chicory is probably the most common weed of Michigan roadsides. In the late summer its bright blue flowers are easily identifiable at 50 mph. Chicory is a simple (unbranched) perennial with a jagged fleshy taproot. The coarsely-toothed basal leaves are 6-8" long and form a rosette. The stems are erect and sparsely leaved.
Chicory can survive dry, infertile conditions. Mowing of the plant will cause the stems to dry out leaving a very hard twiggy stump that is quite unfriendly to bare feet.