''Myrrhis odorata'', with

common name In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often contrast ...

s cicely (), sweet cicely, myrrh, garden myrrh, and sweet chervil, is a

herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition of t ...

perennial plant belonging to the celery family Apiaceae. It is the only species in the genus ''Myrrhis''.

Etymology

The genus name ''Myrrhis'' derives from the Greek word myrrhis �υρρίς an aromatic oil from Asia. The Latin species name ''odorata'' means ''scented''.M. Grieve
A Modern Herbal
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Description

''Myrrhis odorata'' is a tall herbaceous perennial plant growing to 2 m ft 6 intall, depending on circumstances. The

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

are fern-like, 2-4-pinnate, finely divided, feathery, up to 50 cm long, with whitish patches near the rachis. The plant is softly hairy and smells strongly of aniseed when crushed. The flowers are creamy-white, about 2–4 mm across, produced in large umbels. The flowering period extends from May to June. The fruits are slender, dark brown, 15–25 mm long and 3–4 mm broad.

Distribution and habitat

''Myrrhis odorata'' is native to mountains of southern and central Europe, from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus. It has been introduced and naturalized elsewhere in cultivated areas, woodland margins, roadside verges, river banks and grassland. In the British Isles it is most abundant in northern England and eastern Scotland.

Cultivation and uses

In fertile soils it grows readily from seed, and may be increased by division in spring or autumn. Its

are sometimes used as a

herb In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal ...

, either raw or cooked, with a rather strong taste reminiscent of

anise Anise (; '), also called aniseed or rarely anix is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to Eurasia. The flavor and aroma of its seeds have similarities with some other spices and herbs, such as star anise, fennel, licorice, and ta ...

. The roots and seeds also are edible. Additionally, it has a history of use as a medicinal herb. Like its relatives anise, fennel, and caraway, it can also be used to flavour akvavit. Its essential oils are dominated by

anethole Anethole (also known as anise camphor) is an organic compound that is widely used as a flavoring substance. It is a derivative of phenylpropene, a type of aromatic compound that occurs widely in nature, in essential oils. It is in the class of p ...

.Wild Flower Finder
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References

* * {{Taxonbar, from1=Q1137175, from2=Q2722301 Edible Apiaceae Herbs Apioideae