Sweet Cicely, Garden Myrrh, Sweet chervil, Anise root
Myrrhis odorata
Family: Apiaceae
What it is like
A perennial herb. It grows 60-150 cm high. The stems are thick, hollow and branching. The leaves are about 30 cm long. They are finely hairy, light green and divided into leaflets along the stalk. They are feather like. They have a soft texture and silky down covering. The flowers are in umbels 1-5 cm wide. They are white. The seeds are glossy brown when ripe. They are ridged and elongated.
There is only one Myrrhis species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in cool climates and mountainous regions. They grow best in shady places. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Netherlands, North America, Norway, Scandinavia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA
How it is used for food
The leaves and stalks have an aniseed or licorice flavour. They can be eaten in salads, soups, and stews. The hollow stems can be candied like angelica. The unripe seeds are also edible. They are used to flavour brandy. The roots can be boiled and eaten. They are often served with oil or vinegar. The fresh leaves and unripe seed heads are used for flavouring. They are sweet. The flowers are used to flavour apple, plum and rhubarb tarts.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The leaves and flowers are foraged and eaten in restaurants in Sweden.
Edible parts
Leaves, root, seeds, tea, spice, vegetable, flowers
How it is grown
Plants are easily grown from seed. They can be grown by division.
Its other names
Local names
Candy plant, Cerfeuil odorant, Cerfeuil musque, Dišeči kromač, Finocchio dei boschi, Seseli, Spanish chervil, Spansk-kjervel