Osmorhiza
4124995
202991879
2008-04-03T06:52:39Z
166.70.238.44
/* Identification */
:''This article is about the North American herb. For the European herb, see [[Cicely]].
{{Taxobox
| name = Sweet Cicely
| image = Osmoriza claytonii.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_caption = ''[[Osmorhiza claytonii]]''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Apiales]]
| familia = [[Apiaceae]]
| genus = '''''Osmorhiza'''''
| genus_authority = [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz|Raf.]] 1819
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See text
}}
'''''Osmorhiza''''' is a genus of [[North America]]n [[perennial plant|perennial]] herbs, known generally as '''Sweet Cicely''' or '''Sweetroot'''. ''Osmorhiza longistylis'' was used by Native Americans to treat digestive disorders and as a wash for wounds.
The [[seeds]] of this plant have barbs on the end allowing them to stick to clothing, fur, or feathers.
==Distribution==
Sunny, moist ravines, roadbanks, and the edges of riparian areas, but ''' ''never found in standing water'' '''. This plant is widespread and can be found in mountainous areas up to 8,500 feet from British Columbia south into the mountains of California and throughout the Rocky Mountains. These plants are very commonly found in stands of quaking aspen and require moist, well drained soils.
Unlike [[poison hemlock]] or [[water hemlock]], highly toxic relatives in the [[parsely]] family which sweetroot resembles, sweetroot does not tolerate poorly drained soils and is usually found on moist hillsides with good drainage. Sweetroot is frequently found growing in the same habitat and side by side with [[Osha]], a closely related medicinal plant in the [[parsley]] family. <ref>Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1</ref>
==Identification==
Sweetroot closely resembles both [[Water Hemlock]] and [[Baneberry]]. Sweetroot is taller than baneberry and has a strong anise-like "spicy celery" odor which is lacking in Baneberry. Water Hemlock has leaf veins which terminate in the notches between the leaf blades, and sweetroot has leaf veins which terminate on the tips of the leaves.
Sweetroot has large ''' ''jet black'' ''' seeds which are hooked on one end. Most species of Sweetroot lack the characteristic carrot-like taproot system typical of members of the [[parsley]] family. The roots of Sweetroot tend to be stringy and divided and more closely resemble a rhizome than a carrot-like taproot, hence the name ''Osmorhiza (Scented Root)''.
Both [[water hemlock]] and [[poison hemlock]] can both be found in areas of the Mountain West in North America growing in the same habitat with Sweetroot, but lack the strong anise-like odor of sweetroot. Given the high toxicity of poison hemlock and water hemlock, if the plant cannot be positively identified as sweetroot, it must be avoided or discarded. <ref>Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1</ref>
==Uses and toxicity==
Sweetroot has a strong, almost overpowering licorice or anise-like odor and flavor. The plant is a potent fungicide and is useful for treating fungal infections and has been clinically shown to stabilize blood sugar levels. A tea made from the plant was ingested internally and was also used by Native Americans as an external wash or douche to treat fungal infections of the digestive and reproductive systems. The root of the plant is very sweet and can be used as a sweetener. Native Americans refer to this plant as "licorice root" or "sweetroot".
Sweetroot and [[Osha]] both contain [[oxytoxin]] and should not be ingested or used by women who are nursing or pregnant. <ref>Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1</ref>
==Species==
*''[[Osmorhiza aristata|O. aristata]]''
*''[[Osmorhiza chilensis|O. chilensis]]'' (Mountain Sweetroot)
*''[[Osmorhiza berteroi|O. berteroi]]'' (Tapering Sweetroot, Mountain Sweet Cicely)
*''[[Osmorhiza brachypoda|O. brachypoda]]'' (California Sweet Cicely)
*''[[Osmorhiza claytonii|O. claytonii]]'' (Clayton's Sweetroot, Sweet Cicely)
*''[[Osmorhiza depauperata|O. depauperata]]'' (Bluntseed Sweetroot)
*''[[Osmorhiza glabrata|O. glabrata]]''
*''[[Osmorhiza longistylis|O. longistylis]]'' (American Sweet Cicely, Sweet Cicely, White Cicely, Longstyle Sweetroot, Aniseroot, Licorice Root, or Wild Anise)
*''[[Osmorhiza mexicana|O. mexicana]]'' (Mexican Sweet Cicely)
*''[[Osmorhiza occidentalis|O. occidentalis]]'' (Western Sweetroot)
*''[[Osmorhiza purpurea|O. purpurea]]'' (Purple Sweetroot)
Ref: [http://plants.usda.gov/ USDA PLANTS database]
==External links==
<references/>
*[http://altnature.com/gallery/Sweet_Cicely.htm ''O. longistylis'']
{{Apiaceae-stub}}
[[Category:Apiaceae]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Flora of the Eastern United States]]