Smooth Sweet Cicely
Osmorhiza longistylis
A handsome, anise-scented woodland perennial featuring branching stems of finely divided, fern-like leaves. Small clusters of white flowers bloom in late spring, followed by long, ribbed, black seeds. Both the roots and seeds have a rich, sweet licorice flavor.
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Type
- wildflower
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 2–3 ft
- Spacing
- 2–3 ft apart
- Light
- sun, part shade
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Soil pH
- acidic, neutral
- Bloom
- April, May
- Bloom colors
- white
- Wildlife value
- pollinators, larval host
- Landscape uses
- naturalizing, border
- Native states
- AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, VA, WI, WV