Wild liquorice, Spiny-fruited liquorice, Russian licorice
Glycyrrhiza echinata

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It is like liquorice but taller. There are 2-6 pairs of leaflets. The pods are in distinctive heads. Each pod is 12-16 mm long. They have reddish-brown spines.

There are about 18 Glycyrrhiza species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in marshy places by streams and rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bulgaria, Caucasus, China, Europe, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indochina, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Mediterranean, Middle East, Palestine, Romania, Russia, SE Asia, Syria, Turkey, Türkiye, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The roots are a source of licorice. They are used as a spice. The juice is squeezed out and drunk.

Edible parts

Root, root - drink

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ededgyoker, Idesgyoker, Pitirak meyan

Synonyms

Glycyrrhiza frearitis (Boiss.) G. Beck; Glycyrrhiza inermis Boros; Glycyrrhiza macedonia Boiss. & Orph.;