Glycyrrhiza lepidota – “Wild Licorice”

Also Known As: American Licorice
Family: Legume, Bean (Fabaceae)
Bloom Period: Jun-Aug
Form: Perennial herb
Habitat: Washes where moisture occurs seasonally
Leaves: Pinnately-compound, leaflets are lanceolate to narrowly ovate
Translation: “Glycyrrhiza” is Greek for “sweet root,” which refers to Gylcyrrhiza glabra, the common licorice used to make candy, cough syrup and stout beer; “lepidota” is Greek for “scaly” and describes the stems, which are covered with tiny scales.
Native American Uses: Native Americans throughout this plant’s wide geographical range used it for medicinal purposes, often to treat or prevent sore throats. The Western Keres used the roots like cough drops. The Ramah employed it as a purgative.