Liquorice root, Sweetvetch
Hedysarum occidentale

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub. The stems are erect. It grows 40-90 cm tall. The leaves are 8-15 cm long. The flower spikes have 20-75 red to purple flowers. The flowers hang down.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows at about 2,600 m above sea level. It suits USDA hardiness zone 4-8.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

The roots can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a licorice-like taste.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Hedysarum lancifolium Rydb.; Hedysarum marginatum Greene; Hedysarum occidentale var. canone S. L. Welsh; Hedysarum uintahense A. Nelson;