Glycyrrhiza

From Gardenology.org - Plant Encyclopedia and Gardening Wiki
Revision as of 12:32, 31 July 2010 by Raffi (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigationJump to search


Glycyrrhiza lepidota plant


Plant Characteristics
Habit   herbaceous
Cultivation
Scientific Names

Fabaceae >

Glycyrrhiza >


If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!


Glycyrrhiza is a genus of about 18 accepted species in the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae), with a subcosmopolitan distribution in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas.

The genus is best known for liquorice (British English; licorice in American English), G. glabra, a species native to the Mediterranean region, from which the confectionary called Liquorice is produced. Very little G. glabra is grown in North America, but American Licorice G. lepidota is a common native species there. Russian Liquorice (G. echinata) and Chinese Liquorice (G. uralensis) are also cultivated, the latter being important in traditional Chinese medicine.


Read about Glycyrrhiza in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Glycyrrhiza (Greek, sweet root). Leguminosae. Licorice, also spelled Liquorice, and Lickorice. This Genus contains the plant whose roots produce the corice of commerce.

The genus has about a dozen widely scattered species of perennial herbs, often glandular: lvs. odd-pinnate; lfts. of indefinite number, rarely 3, entire, with minute glands or teeth: fls. blue, violet, white or yellowish, in axillary racemes or spikes, which are peduncled or sessile.—About a dozen species in the Medit. region, Trop. Asia, W. Amer. and S. Amer., only one of which appears to be cult.

The roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, of southern Europe and central Asia, are used extensively by druggists: in America by brewers and manufacturers of plug tobacco; in Turkey, Egypt and France to make cool- jng drinks. Our supply—more than $1,500,000 worth in 1899—is derived mainly from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Turkey and Russia (Transcaucasia), the roots from Spain and Italy being considered best, and those from Turkey poorest on account of their bitterness. The soil for licorice must be deep, mellow, moist, rich and free from stones. Plants are usually set in rows, 3 feet or more apart, and not less than 1 foot asunder. After the plants have covered the ground, they are allowed to shift for themselves for three or four years. Harvesting is primitive, the roots being exposed by the plow and pulled by hand. Large quantities of roots are thus left to produce a succeeding crop or to overrun the field as weeds. One ton to the acre is considered a fair yield; 1.6 cents a pound an average price. In America the only fields worthy the name arc in California, where licorice is not considered very paying. Experiment and experience with it are, however, but little more than begun. CH


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

Do you have cultivation info on this plant? Edit this section!

Propagation

Do you have propagation info on this plant? Edit this section!

Pests and diseases

Do you have pest and disease info on this plant? Edit this section!

Species

Species include[1]:

Gallery

If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.

References

External links