
| Also known as: | Long-style Sweetroot, Smoother Sweet Cicely |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Osmorhiza |
| Family: | Apiaceae (Carrot) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, shade; moist woods |
| Bloom season: | May - June |
| Plant height: | 2 to 3 feet |
| USDA PLANTS database: | Minnesota county distribution map |
| Spotted in Ramsey County at: |
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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 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 is a narrow seed about an inch long that is arced slightly and slightly swollen at the tip half.
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Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN June 2008
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2009-07-07 18:35:17
This is growing wild in my backyard in Apple Valley. I dug it up to move it to another section of the yard and found it has a wonderful licorice smell to the roots (hence the name?) It is really a very petite, pretty flower and much enjoyed in our yard.