The Voynich Botanical Plants

Folio 10r, Chicory or Endive (Cichorium pumilum), is a bushy, perennial herb with blue or lavender flowers. It originated in the countries around the Mediterranean Sea. The Romans used chicory in their recipes and Horace stated: “As for me, olives, endives, and mallows provide sustenance.” Today the leaves are used in salads and the parsnip-like roots are cooked for a vegetable or dried and used as a coffee substitute.