Osmorhiza aristata var. aristata, commonly known as Clayton’s Sweetroot, is a deciduous perennial herb native to East Asia, particularly in Japan. It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) and a width of about 1 foot (0.3 meters). The plant features compound leaves that are soft to the touch and umbels of small, white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer, which are modest in showiness but attract beneficial insects.

Clayton’s Sweetroot is valued for its aromatic roots and foliage, which emit a pleasant, anise-like fragrance when crushed. It is used in naturalized plantings, shaded woodland gardens, and as a component in native plant gardens. It prefers part shade to full shade conditions and consistently moist, well-drained soil. While it is not a common garden plant, its ease of maintenance and resistance to many pests and diseases make it a good choice for gardeners looking to add native plants to their landscape. It can spread by seed and form colonies, so it should be given space to naturalize.CC BY-SA 4.0