The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: smooth sweet-cicely, anise-root

Family: Apiaceae (parsely, carrot family)

Distribution: c. and e. North America

Hardiness: USDA Zone 3

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: Smooth sweet-cicely (or aniseroot) commonly grows in rich, moist woods on slopes or in ravines and valleys. Growing up to 1-2.5 feet tall, it blooms from May to June, producing umbels of small white flowers that are typical of a plant in the carrot family. The roots are strongly anise-scented and other parts of the plant are also fragrant, hence its other common name. The leaves are edible and the roots may be dried for herbal use. Bees, wasps, beetles and flies are frequent pollinators of this plant. Mammals and birds help with seed dispersal, as the bristly seeds stick to fur or feathers.