ID This!

[UGUIDE]

I was doing some clipping of deer plots and came across this little spot we had seeded last year in a perennial and annuals. The thing was loaded with grasshoppers, moths, butterflies and also a brood of pheasants.

The main plant in their was a spectacular blue flowered plant. After picking up a clipping it looked similar to antive alfalfa but had way more buds on the stem and the flowers were big and blue.

What is it? I did a little detective work on the seed but we planted 2 different bags of stuff.

The stuff on left is from the food plot and ones on right are from a neighbors alfalfa field

 

[FCSpringer]

Sweet clover isn't it?

 

[mnmthunting]

I see a few plants of yellow sweet clover and red clover.

I think the blue flowers are Smooth Blue Aster. A native prairie forb. Quite common and popular with the native prairie people.

 

[Win97]

It looks like chicory. It was used during WWII as a coffee substitute and is caffeine free.

 

[UGUIDE]

I see a few plants of yellow sweet clover and red clover.

I think the blue flowers are Smooth Blue Aster. A native prairie forb. Quite common and popular with the native prairie people.

Wayne, looks close but not quite same. The blue aster has a yellow bud in center of flower and my stuff does not.

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQsAQwAA

Plant looks a little different too.

 

[UGUIDE]

It looks like chicory. It was used during WWII as a coffee substitute and is caffeine free.

By gosh it is chicory

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=6&ved=0CFgQsAQwBQ

I thought chicory was just a short big leaf plant that got about 8" off ground. Had no idea it would bloom like this.

Thanks!!

 

[FCSpringer]

That is in food plot mixes, makes sense. It is good stuff.

 

[oldandnew]

mystery plant, no mystery to me

I am sure it's chickory. Grows here in Mo./Ks. along roads, anywhere the soil is damaged or been disturbed. It is a valuable forage plant, extremely high in calcium and other minerals. We used to have sheep, and they prefered it to all other forage. I have seen quail use it, prairie chickens, and pheasants. doves too! not to mention deer. Provides a growing, green forage in the hot part of the year, seems to be a companion to Queen Anne's Lace around here. By the way, I have no idea what the previous poster is talking about, maybe he broadcast his "sexting" message

 

[bobeyerite]

old and new, he has been deleted and Banned. You don't have to worry about his posts anymore.........Bob

 

[UGUIDE]

Chicory goining in

Well thanks to crop years changing I can put in 100 acres of CRP this year. They won't cost share the chicory becuase it is not eligible but I can put in at my own cost and I plan to put in 5% mix or 1/2 lb per acre.

 

[Win97]

UGUIDE around here I don't think you would have to plant it as it grows wild pretty much everywhere!. It has the nick name of blue devil.

 

[jaytee]

From what I've been told and have read is that the wild chicory and food plot chicory are two different animals, so to speak. Food plot stuff is "supposed" to be more pallatable and more nutricious. I know around here though the wild stuff sure gets nipped by the deer.