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Osmorhiza occidentalis
  • Western Sweet-Cicely

a perennial member of the Osmorhiza genus in the family Umbelliferae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
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 Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    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
Osmorhiza occidentalis has 0 edible uses listed
Osmorhiza occidentalis has 0 material uses listed
Osmorhiza occidentalis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The root has a sweet liquorice or anise flavour and can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a flavouring for biscuits etc[1][2][3]. The taste is probably too strong for the whole root to be used as a vegetable[1]. The dried seeds are used as a flavouring[1][2][3]. The unripe seed, when still fleshy, can be nibbled raw[1][2].

Unknown part

Condiment

Root

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

The roots have been used by women as a feminine deodorant[3]. They have also been placed in the clothes cupboard to impart a nice smell to clothes and have been used to rinse babies nappies[3]. A decoction of the root has been used as a dip to kill lice in chickens[3].

Unknown part

Deodorant
Incense
Insecticide

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Western sweet-cicely was widely employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it particularly to treat digestive disorders and as an antiseptic wash for a range of problems[3]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism.

An infusion of the plant is used in the treatment of coughs and colds[4][3]. The roots are antiseptic, carminative, febrifuge, oxytocic, pectoral and stomachic[3]. An infusion has been used to induce labour in a pregnant woman and to treat fevers, indigestion, flatulence, stomach aches etc[3]. An infusion of the roots has been applied externally as a treatment for swollen breasts, sores, sore eyes etc[3]. A decoction of the root has been used as a wash on venereal sores and skin rashes[3]. A poultice of the pulped roots has been used in the treatment of cuts, sores, swellings and bruises[3]. The root has been applied to teeth to relive the pain of toothache[3].

A hot decoction of the root has been used to kill head lice[3].

Unknown part

Antiseptic
Carminative
Febrifuge
Ophthalmic
Oxytoxic
Pectoral
Poultice
Skin
Stomachic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise sow it in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

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



Cultivation

Succeeds in any deep moisture-retentive soil in sun or dappled shade[5].

Plants are hardy to about -20°c[5].

Well suited to naturalistic plantings in a woodland or wild garden[5]. A sweetly aromatic plant[5].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Osmorhiza occidentalis. 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 Osmorhiza occidentalis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Osmorhiza occidentalis
Genus
Osmorhiza
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3]
Medicinal uses
[3][4]
Material uses & Functions
[3]
Botanic
[6][5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
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
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (1967-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    3. ? 3.003.013.023.033.043.053.063.073.083.093.103.113.123.133.143.153.16 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)


    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Osmorhiza_occidentalis&oldid=79009"
    Facts about "Osmorhiza occidentalis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyUmbelliferae +
    Belongs to genusOsmorhiza +
    Has binomial nameOsmorhiza occidentalis +
    Has common nameWestern Sweet-Cicely +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Root + and Seed +
    Has edible useCondiment + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDeodorant +, Incense + and Insecticide +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiseptic +, Carminative +, Febrifuge +, Ophthalmic +, Oxytoxic +, Pectoral +, Poultice +, Skin + and Stomachic +
    Has search nameosmorhiza occidentalis + and western sweet-cicely +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameOsmorhiza occidentalis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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