LIQUORICE
(Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Appearance
An erect sub-shrubby perennial about 1 metre high and woody
at the base. Roots are long, tough and often sweetly flavoured. Leaves are
divided, the leaflets being wide, gland-dotted and glutinous.
Purplish-violet flowers appear on the upper parts of the stems from May to
June.
Habitat
Grows in sandy or marshy fields near sea-level.
Uses and Properties
As well as making the well-known sweet, liquorice is an
ancient flavouring and medicine listed in all traditional
pharmacopoeias in one form or another. It is a very popular cough
remedy having anti-inflammatory, soothing and healing properties.
