Chinese licorice, Manchurian liquorice
Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It grows 40-100 cm high and spreads 30-60 cm wide. It keeps growing from year to year. The underground stems or rhizomes are branched. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 10-25 cm long. The flowers are violet and white. They are in dense compact spikes 7 cm long. The fruit are oblong and curved pods. They are 4 cm long.

There are about 18 Glycyrrhiza species. This one has a glycyrrhizin content of 24%. It has anticancer properties.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is hardy to frosts. In north China it grows on sandy land and dry riverbanks between 400-2,700 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Central Asia, China, Europe, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia, Tajikistan, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The roots are used as a sweetener for food. It should only be used in small amounts. The roots can be toxic.

Edible parts

Root, caution

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or by division.

Its other names

Local names

Gan Cao

Synonyms

Glycyrrhiza asperrima var. desertorum Regel; Glysyrrhiza asperrima var. uralensis Regel; Glycyrrhiza glandulifera Ledeb.; Glycyyrhiza viscida;?