Brazilian licorice
Periandra mediterranea

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or climber which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 3 m tall. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The flower stalk is twisted, turning the flower up side down. The flower is dark blue to purple.

There are 7 Periandra species. They grow in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the moist tropics. It grows between 600-1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bolivia, Brazil, South America

How it is used for food

The roots are used like liquorice.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alcacuz-do-Brazil, Raiz-doce

Synonyms

Glycinopsis mediterranea (Vell.) Kuntze; Glycyrrhiza mediterranea Vell.; Periandra angulata Benth.; Periandra angustifolia Benth.; Periandra dulcis Benth.; and others