Roadside Beauties
Cornflowers and Queen Anne’s Lace
Some may tell you that the best time to travel the country roads of West Virginia is in the fall. Certainly, impressive autumnal hues blanket the forested mountains as far as travelers can see.
However, as a verifiable Mountain Mama, I will let you in on a secret...
This is the best season to roam the country roads.
While the summer remains hot, the most gorgeous little friends will wave to you along the roadside. Within the last week or so, they woke up and started poking their pretty heads out of their wintery beds.
What is the source of my annual delights?
Cornflowers and Queen Anne’s Lace
Granted, I just realized after four decades of calling the pretty blues “cornflowers” that the name is really a nickname specific to West Virginia. After trying to research what edible uses the flower possessed—jellies, teas, etc.—I found that the images of cornflowers in my online searches were not my beloved cornflowers.
Seriously, is there a prettier shade of blue?? I think not.
These valiant plants are actually called “chicory,” and there are plenty of edible attributes associated with that name.
(A rose by any other name… might lead you astray!)
Anyone who has read a wartime novel has probably heard of “chicory tea” made from the chicory plant’s roots. The coffee “substitute” is mentioned in the wonderful WWII novels I read recently—Switchboard Soldiers and Bloomsbury Girls.
No character ever seems to think it tastes like coffee though. Honestly, my curiosity regarding its flavor is piqued. Chicory tea may be on my menu soon!
Plus, you will find uses for the delicate flowers. I think my favorite edible version of any flower is when it’s turned into jelly! I’ve made jellies from dandelions and autumn olive flowers (both delicious!), but this year, chicory jelly is on my list. (Wish me luck!)
As to the Queen Anne’s Lace—I grew up understanding that it is poisonous. However, Google didn’t exist back then. According to a quick search, they’re edible too, and are called “wild carrots!” I’ve learned so much thanks to knitting!
Chicory and Queen Anne’s Lace appear to be the best of friends. Where you find one, you generally find the other. I can’t say for sure, but I believe that the Great Artist Above planned it that way. Truly, they compliment each other so well.
Whereas Queen Anne’s Lace is sturdy, chicory is dainty. The gentle cream of the lace accentuates the soft blue of the “cornflower.” Together they create an understated and nuanced elegance.
It would seem that local artist Robert Tuckwiller agrees with me! I bought this gorgeous original painting at the State Fair of WV after I found out that I had won the Best of the Best Award for my cabled sweater in the knitting/fiber arts competition.
If I could dye yarn (beyond my sophomoric experiments with Kool-Aid and black walnut husks), I would capture the colors of the elegant pair in a self-striping yarn. I would call my colorway “Summer Spirits.” Perhaps I should add this to my bucket list!
If you could dye yarn to replicate your favorite bouquet, what flowers would inspire your colorway? AND what would you name it?!
Do you already have a favorite flower-inspired yarn in your stash, but need some pattern inspiration? Check out my knitting designs on Ravelry and Etsy!
My most recent pattern uses yarn inspired by flowers! The Echo Lodge Socks pattern uses the Must Stash Yarn colorway “Lavender Apple Blossom.”
Disclaimer: This post is not intended as official nutritional information. Please do your own research before consuming wild flowers.
Just had a chance to read this. I’ve heard of chicory tea and the ‘coffee substitute’ but I had no idea that’s what it looked like!
I think yarn with those colors would be fabulous!