[beekeeper1756]

While on vacation in the Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland area, I noticed two types of ground cover that was everywhere along the side of the road. One was a green plant with pink flowers about 10 or so inches high that has been identified as crown vetch or something like that. I read on this forum that the highway dept. uses it for ground cover and man is it everywhere.

Also, this flowering plant is everywhere as well. Grows between 3-5 feet tall with prolific flowers all up and down the stem of the plant. I took a picture thinking to post it on the forum.

Can anyone identify this flower?

http://

 

[StikyBoots]

That looks like Chicory to me.
We have it here in Illinois also.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Roadside-Prairies-Flowers-or-Weeds

 

[beekeeper1756]

Say, that looks exactly like what I saw. Do the bees like it?

It's bad. I saw all this ground cover of crown vetch and this chickory and was constantly thinking, "I could put a hive over there...and over there...and over there..."

 

[Hortusrarus]

Beekeep1756,
The plant in the picture looks like Cichorium intybus L. or “chicory”. It is hard to tell without seeing the flower and leaves more closely.
Here is a link to an information page on the Chicory:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CIIN
Here is one on Crownvetch:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SEVA4
The picture is definitely not vetch.
The only other option is Bachelor’s Buttons or Centaurea cyanus L. garden cornflower.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch
Ther Cichorium and Centaurea are both in the Asteraceae (Aster) Family

Noney Bees will work all three species and get nectar from them.
Vetch makes a great light honey.
All three grow in Texas!

 

[Hambone]

We have lots of Chicory here but it's the yellow variety and blooms from early spring until about now. And the bees work it on a regular basis. Mostly saw them working it in the afternoon.

 

[spieker]

We have lots of chicory where I live in Virginia. Bees work it in the AM. Flowers wilt around noon.

 

[Countryboy]

Yes, it's chicory. This is also called Poor Man's Coffee, as old timers used to make a tea out of it.