Aniseroot (Osmorhiza longistylis): white Minnesota wildflowers

Aniseroot

Plant Info
Also known as:	Long-style Sweetroot, Smoother Sweet Cicely
Scientific name:	Osmorhiza longistylis
Family:	Carrot (Apiaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part sun, shade; moist woods
Bloom season:	late spring
Plant height:	2 to 3 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park

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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 stamen, 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 Clayton's Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytonii). From everything I've read, the main distinguishing characteristic is the length of the flower styles. Those of Clayton's Sweet Cicely are shorter than the petals, while Aniseroot are longer. According to one source Aniseroot also has more flowers per umbellet, 8 to 16 compared to 4 to 7.