# Licorice (*Glycyrrhiza Tourn. ex L.*)

Licorice is a sweet-tasting plant with roots that are used to make yummy candies. It has pretty purple flowers and grows in sunny fields and meadows.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Sunny fields and meadows
- **Also known as:** Glycyrrhiza, Sweet Root

![Licorice](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Illustration_Glycyrrhiza_glabra0.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Glycyrrhiza_glabra0.jpg)

## Appearance

The Licorice is a tall herbaceous perennial, often reaching up to 6 feet, with distinct pinnate leaves. It displays delicate purplish-blue to whitish pea-like flowers arranged in upright spikes during summer, followed by small flat pods.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Fabales
- **Family:** Fabaceae
- **Genus:** Glycyrrhiza

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Egyptians loved licorice so much, King Tut had it buried with him!
- Despite the name, true licorice root tastes different from anise or fennel candy.
- Licorice has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicines and drinks.
- The sweet taste in licorice comes from a compound 50 times sweeter than sugar!

## Special abilities

- **Sweet Sensation Roots:** Licorice has special compounds in its roots that make them 50 times sweeter than sugar, helping it store energy and deter some pests.
- **Deep-Root Diver:** Licorice grows extensive deep roots which help it find water in dry soils and store energy, allowing it to survive harsh conditions.
- **Soil Helper:** Like many legumes, Licorice hosts tiny bacteria in its roots that pull nitrogen from the air into the soil, acting like a natural fertilizer.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 100-200 cm
- **Spread:** 30-100 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits licorice flowers to collect nectar and pollen.
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Helps transfer pollen between licorice plants.
- **Symbiotic with:** Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria (*Rhizobium leguminosarum*) — Lives in root nodules, converting nitrogen for plant growth.

## Traits

- [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.

## Collections

- [Herbs](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/herbs)
- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Do not eat plants unless an adult says it's safe. Licorice candy is okay, but the plant can be harmful if eaten.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Licorice?

Compare leaf shape and arrangement, stem structure, flowers and growth habit. Some poisonous plants look a lot like kitchen herbs, so looks alone never prove a plant is safe to eat. Herb Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Licorice?

100-200 cm

### How wide does Licorice spread?

30-100 cm

### How big are the flowers on Licorice?

1-2 cm

### When does Licorice bloom?

Summer

### Is Licorice edible?

Yes

### Is Licorice toxic?

Mild

### What is Licorice's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Licorice: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/licorice)