American liquorice
Glycyrrhiza lepidota
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A herb that continues to grow from year to year. It grows 25-75 cm tall. There are several compound leaves. There are 11-19 pale green leaflets. They are oblong and have gland dots. The flowers are yellowish-white. They are showy. The flowers are 1.2 cm long and occur in dense clusters. They have 5 sepals and 5 petals. The fruit is an oblong reddish-brown pod. It is 12-18 mm long. It is covered with hooked prickles.
There are about 18 Glycyrrhiza species. The roots contain 6% glycyrrhizin.
Where it is found
It grows on prairie slopes and stream banks. It suits hardiness zones 3-8.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Canada, Central America, Mexico, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The roots are cooked and eaten. They can be roasted. The raw roots were chewed. They are also used to flavour other foods. They can be dried and brewed into tea. The young tender shoots can be eaten raw.
Edible parts
Leaves, root