Aniseroot
Osmorhiza longistylis
native
Other Names:
Longstyle Sweetroot, Sweet Cicely, Long-styled Sweet Cicely, Smoother Sweet Cicely
Aniseroot is a native perennial plant found through much of Virginia. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small to medium-sized bees, wasps, beetles, and flies. Aniseroot is in the carrot family, and it gets its name because the crushed plant smells like anise, and it has sometimes been used as a substitute for anise. It also can be used as a substitute for black licorice. The alternative name of Sweet Cecily is based on the Greek word seselis, which is a group of plants with umbels. An umbel is cluster of flowers that spread from a common point, like umbrella ribs. The botanical term "umbel" is derived from a word that means parasol or sunshade, as is the word "umbrella".
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