Osmorhiza aristata

(Thunb.) Mak. & Yabe

Sweet Cicely, Longstyle sweetroot

Apiaceae Edible: Leaves, Root 245 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Osmorhiza aristata (Chinese: 香根芹, Japanese: 藪人参) is a perennial plant belonging to the genus Osmorhiza, in the family Apiaceae. It is native to East Asia.

Description

A herb. It grows 25-70 cm tall. It has a taproot that has a smell. The stems are green and can have a purple tinge. The leaves are 29 cm long by 25 cm wide and divided into leaflets.

Edible Uses

The root can be eaten raw or cooked — peel it first when eating raw, as it is aromatic. Young plants and young leafstalks can also be cooked, either boiled or added to soups.

Traditional Uses

The roots are peeled, washed and eaten raw. The young leaf stalks are eaten boiled or put into soups. The young plant is also cooked and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in forests, grasslands and along stream banks between 200-3,500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, North America, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia,

Propagation

Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe where possible, otherwise sow in early spring. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in the greenhouse through their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Other Uses

None known

Notes

In Flora of China as Osmorhiza aristata (Thunb.) Rydberg

Synonyms

Osmorhiza laxa RoyleWashingtonia laxa (Royle) Koso-Pol. ex B. Fedtsch.

Also Known As

Yabu-ninjin

References (5)

Bot. Surv. Nebr. 3:37. 1894 (As (Thunb.) Rydb.)
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 594
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 61
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
READ