Osmorhiza longistylis (Aniseroot)

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flowers are in flat clusters (umbels) 2 to 3 inches across, each cluster containing about 5 groups (umbellets) of 8 to 16 flowers. Individual flowers are 1/8 inch across, with 5 white notched petals, 5 white-tipped stamens, and 2 styles that are longer than the petals (the arrows in the thumbnail photo point them out). At the base of each umbellet is a hairy bract. One plant usually has a few clusters.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are compound in 3's. Leaflets are up to 4 inches long and 2 inches wide with the leaflet at the tip the largest. Leaflets may be lobed or divided; the edges are coarsely toothed. Leaves are hairy, especially along the major veins on the underside, and the leaf stem. The leaves and leaf stems become smaller as they ascend the plant. The main stem is usually smooth but may be hairy, or smooth towards the base and hairier at the top.

Fruit:

Fruit is a narrow seed about an inch long that is arced slightly and slightly swollen at the tip half.

Notes:

Aniseroot is very similar to Sweet Cicely and the 2 are easily confused. Sweet Cicely has styles that are shorter than the petals,  fewer flowers per umbellet (4 to 7), and densely hairy stems. The hairy stems are the most obvious difference.

More photos

• Aniseroot plant, about 30 inches tall
• more flowers

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN June 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?