Wild Licorice
ExplorePlants
Wild Licorice
Glycyrrhiza lepidota
Wild Licorice is a special plant that grows in the wild. It has sweet roots that can be used to make candy and tea. This plant loves sunny places and can be found in fields and along riverbanks.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Wild Licorice has erect stems covered in fine hairs, bearing many pairs of oval leaflets. Its small, pale yellow-green to whitish pea-like flowers grow in dense, spiky clusters, later forming unique bur-like seed pods that are covered in hooked prickles.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusGlycyrrhiza
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Did you know its roots taste super sweet, even sweeter than sugar!
Native Americans chewed the roots like candy and used them for sore throats.
This plant is related to garden peas, but don't eat its leaves or stems!
Wild Licorice loves growing where rivers have flooded or disturbed the ground.
Special abilities
Ability
Nutrient Wizard
Wild Licorice can pull nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil, helping itself and other plants grow strong.
Ability
Underground Explorer
Wild Licorice has deep-spreading roots that help it survive droughts and find water far below the surface.
Ability
Hitchhiker Helper
Wild Licorice has sticky, spiky seed pods that attach to animals, helping its seeds travel far and wide.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-120 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.8-1.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer and other browsers munch its foliage.
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Bees are attracted to its nectar-rich flowers.
symbiotic with
Rhizobium bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum
Forms root nodules to fix nitrogen for the plant.
Traits
Aromatic
Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not eat any plants without asking an adult first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Wild Licorice?
30-120 cm
How wide does Wild Licorice spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Wild Licorice?
0.8-1.5 cm
When does Wild Licorice bloom?
Summer
Is Wild Licorice edible?
Yes
Is Wild Licorice toxic?
None
What is Wild Licorice's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Wild Licorice pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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