Myrrhis spp.

sweet cicely

Apiaceae

Mountains of central and southern Europe

Attracts Pollinators Fragrant (moderate)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–7

Overview

Myrrhis spp. is a genus in the carrot family (Apiaceae) represented chiefly by Myrrhis odorata, a clump-forming herbaceous perennial of central and southern European mountain meadows and woodland edges. Plants reach 60-180 cm (24-71 in) tall and 60-100 cm (24-39 in) wide, building a basal mound of soft, fern-like leaves. The foliage is two- to three-pinnate, divided into many toothed segments, mid-green and often flecked with pale markings, and carries a sweet anise scent when bruised. Hollow ridged stems rise above the leaves in late spring, topped by flat compound umbels 2-5 cm (0.8-2 in) across holding many small white flowers. These are followed by narrow ridged fruits 15-25 mm (0.6-1 in) long that ripen from green to glossy dark brown. Leaves, stems, and unripe seeds carry an aniseed flavour and are used as a culinary herb across the native range. Plants die back to a deep taproot each winter and re-emerge early the following spring. The taproot makes established clumps slow to relocate, and self-sown seedlings can spread into nearby borders where conditions stay cool and moist.

Native Range

Myrrhis spp. is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, from the Pyrenees and Alps east through the Balkans, growing in damp meadows, pastures, and open woodland at roughly 200-2,000 m (650-6,550 ft). It has naturalised in cooler temperate regions beyond this range, including parts of northern Europe and North America.

Suggested Uses

Grown in herb gardens, cottage borders, and the dappled edges of woodland plantings, spaced 45-60 cm (18-24 in) apart. The aniseed-flavoured leaves and seeds are used in the kitchen, and the early umbels draw pollinating insects.

How to Identify

Look for soft, fern-like leaves divided two or three times into many toothed segments, mid-green and sometimes marked with whitish blotches, releasing a strong aniseed scent when crushed. Hollow ridged stems carry flat-topped umbels of small white flowers in late spring. The narrow, sharply ridged fruits, 15-25 mm (0.6-1 in) long and ripening glossy dark brown, separate Myrrhis spp. from similar white-flowered umbellifers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 5'11"

Width/Spread2' - 3'3"

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from late spring into early summer, mainly May and June across the genus range. Flat compound umbels of small white flowers open above the foliage over about four to six weeks. Ridged green fruits follow and darken through summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Mid-green, sometimes flecked white

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Myrrhis spp. grows in full sun to part shade in cool climates and tolerates deeper shade where summers are warm. It favours moist, humus-rich soil that drains freely, with a pH near 6.0 to 7.5. Plants form a deep taproot and resent disturbance once settled, so they are positioned where they can remain in place for years. Water during dry spells to keep the soil evenly moist, since drought triggers early dieback. The genus is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7 and grows weakly in regions with hot, humid summers. No routine feeding is needed in reasonably fertile ground.

Pruning

Cut flowering stems after bloom to limit prolific self-seeding, or leave some umbels standing where seedlings are wanted. Remove spent foliage at ground level in late autumn as it dies back. Established clumps need no other routine pruning.