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Glycyrrhiza lepidota
  • American Liquorice

a perennial member of the Glycyrrhiza genus in the family Leguminosae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Glycyrrhiza lepidota has 0 edible uses listed
Glycyrrhiza lepidota has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Very young growth can be poisonous to animals[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Root - raw or cooked[2][3][4][5]. Long, sweet and fleshy[6], when slow roasted they are said to taste like sweet potatoes[7][8]. They can be used as a flavouring in other foods and can also be chewed raw as a masticatory[9][7][1], making an excellent tooth cleaner and also very good for teething children. The root contains 6% glycyrrhizin, a substance that is 50 times sweeter than sugar[7]. The tender young shoots can be eaten raw in the spring[7][10].

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Glycyrrhiza lepidota.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

American liquorice was widely employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it in the treatment of a range of diseases[10]. All parts of the body are medicinal, but the roots are the most active part. This species has properties similar to other liquorices which are widely used medicinally, though this species is rather neglected in modern literature.

An infusion of the root is used to speed the delivery of the placenta after childbirth, it is also used to treat coughs, diarrhoea, chest pains, fevers in children, stomach aches etc[8][10]. It is also used as a wash or poultice on swellings[10]. The chewed root is retained in the mouth as a treatment for toothache and sore throats[8][10]. The mashed leaves are used as a poultice on sores[8][10].

The leaves have been placed in the shoes to absorb moisture[10].

Unknown part

Birthing aid
Foot care
Odontalgic
Poultice
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow spring or autumn in a greenhouse[11]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on for their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in late spring or early summer when in active growth. Plants are rather slow to grow from seed[12]. Division of the root in spring or autumn. Each division must have at least one growth bud. Autumn divisions can either be replanted immediately or stored in clamps until the spring and then be planted out[11]. It is best to pt up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a cold frame until they are established before planting them out in the spring or summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Glycyrrhiza lepidota. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a deep well cultivated fertile moisture-retentive soil for good root production[11]. Prefers a sandy soil with abundant moisture[12]. Slightly alkaline conditions produce the best plants[12].

A very deep-rooted plant, it can be difficult to eradicate once it is established[12]. Unless seed is required, the plant is usually prevented from flowering so that it puts more energy into producing good quality roots[12]. Plants are growing very well at Kew[K].

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[11].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Glycyrrhiza lepidota. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Glycyrrhiza lepidota.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Glycyrrhiza lepidota
Genus
Glycyrrhiza
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][1][10]
Medicinal uses
[10][8]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[13]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press ISBN 63-7093 (1963-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Davies. D. Alliums. The Ornamental Onions. Batsford ISBN 0-7134-7030-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.610.710.8 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    13. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

    "image:Glycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Facts about "Glycyrrhiza lepidota"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
    Belongs to genusGlycyrrhiza +
    Functions asNitrogen fixer +
    Has common nameAmerican Liquorice +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves + and Root +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imageGlycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useBirthing aid +, Foot care +, Odontalgic +, Poultice + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageGlycyrrhiza lepidota.jpg +
    Has search nameglycyrrhiza lepidota + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameGlycyrrhiza lepidota +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +