Glycyrrhiza malensis
Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae
What it is like
Glycyrrhiza malensis is a PERENNIAL. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0
Where it is found
Not known
E. Asia - China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
The fibrous root has a very sweet flavour. It is boiled in water to extract the sugars etc and these are used as a liquorice substitute.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
Nitrogen fixer. Dynamic accumulator.
Dynamic accumulator: Plants that gather minerals or nutrients from the soil and store them in a more bioavailable form and in high concentration in their tissues. Used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. This species is not recognised in the International Legume Database, neither is it in the Flora of China. It is quite possibly a mis-spelling of G. uralensis. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a deep well cultivated fertile moisture-retentive soil for good root production. Prefers a sandy soil with abundant moisture. Slightly alkaline conditions produce the best plants. A very deep-rooted plant, it can be difficult to eradicate once it is established. Unless seed is required, the plant is usually prevented from flowering so that it puts more energy into producing good quality roots. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
Propagating it: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow spring or autumn in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on for their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in late spring or early summer when in active growth. Plants are rather slow to grow from seed. Division of the root in spring or autumn. Each division must have at least one growth bud. Autumn divisions can either be replanted immediately or stored in clamps until the spring and then be planted out. It is best to pt up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a cold frame until they are established before planting them out in the spring or summer.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist