Licorice

(Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky)

CC BY 4.0

Image By: Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky)

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky) | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky) | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-06-26T05:35:10-07:00 |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Glycyrrhiza glabra, commonly known as Licorice, is a deciduous perennial herb native to various regions including the Mediterranean, parts of Asia, and southern Europe. It typically grows to about 1 meter (40 inches) in height. The plant features compound leaves, with pinnate leaflets that are soft and hairy. Licorice produces small, purple to pale whitish-blue flowers, which appear in a loose inflorescence from late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they do attract beneficial insects. The root system is extensive, with a main taproot and numerous spreading rhizomes. The roots are the source of the sweet, aromatic flavoring known as licorice.

Licorice is valued for its roots, which are harvested to extract the sweet flavoring used in various culinary applications, including candy and beverages. The plant is also known for its medicinal properties, particularly as a demulcent and expectorant. In cultivation, licorice requires full sun and well-drained soils, preferably in deep valleys. It is drought-tolerant once established and can thrive in soils with slow to medium drainage. While licorice is relatively easy to maintain, it can become invasive if not managed properly, spreading through its rhizomes. Gardeners should be aware of its potential to spread and take measures to contain it if necessary.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Subshrub, Herb
Height: 3-4 feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Purple, White
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium

Common Uses

Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to various regions including the Mediterranean, parts of Asia, and southern Europe

Other Names

Common Names: Common Licorice, Cultivated Licorice, Liquorice, Licorice-Root, Biyan, Kahles Sussholz, Sussholz, Echtes Süßholz, Süßholz, Lakritze

Scientific Names: , Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza echinata, Glycyrrhiza glabra var. glandulifera, Glycyrrhiza glandulifera, Glycyrrhiza glabra var. glabra, Glycyrrhiza brachycarpa, Glycyrrhiza glabra var. pubescens, Glycyrrhiza glabra var. asperula, Glycyrrhiza hirsuta

GBIF Accepted Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra L.