Myrrhis odorata
sweet cicely
Mountains of central and southern Europe
Overview
Myrrhis odorata is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial 2-6 feet (60-180 cm) tall, with soft, fern-like leaves that smell strongly of aniseed when crushed. The bright green leaves are two to three times pinnately divided into many toothed segments, often flecked with pale markings, and the hollow stems are downy and grooved. In late spring it produces flat-topped compound umbels 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across of small white flowers, held above the foliage. These are followed by slender ridged fruits up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long that turn from green to glossy dark brown as they ripen. All parts carry a sweet anise flavor, and the leaves, seeds, and roots have a long history of culinary use. The plant grows in damp grassland, hedge banks, and woodland edges, mainly in upland areas. A limitation is its deep taproot, which makes established plants hard to move, and its free self-seeding, which can spread it widely in a garden.
Native Range
Myrrhis odorata is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe. It has naturalized widely across northern and western Europe, including Britain, where it grows along roadsides, hedge banks, and damp grassland.Suggested Uses
Myrrhis odorata is grown in herb gardens, edible borders, and woodland-edge plantings, where its early fern-like foliage fills space before later perennials emerge. The leaves and seeds are used as a sweet anise flavoring, and the early flowers supply nectar for bees and hoverflies. It suits cool, damp, partly shaded sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 6'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Bloom Information
Flowering takes place in late spring to early summer, usually May and June. The white umbels open above the foliage and are visited by a range of small insects. Green fruits form quickly and ripen to dark brown through summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-8 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