| Cicely | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Flowers ofMyrrhis odorata at theGiardino Botanico Alpino Chanousia | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Apioideae |
| Tribe: | Scandiceae |
| Subtribe: | Scandicinae |
| Genus: | Myrrhis Mill. |
| Species: | M. odorata |
| Binomial name | |
| Myrrhis odorata | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Myrrhis odorata, withcommon namescicely (/ˈsɪsəli/SISS-ə-lee),sweet cicely,[2]myrrh,garden myrrh, andsweet chervil,[3] is aherbaceousperennial plant belonging to the celeryfamilyApiaceae. It is the onlyspecies in the genusMyrrhis.[4]
The genus nameMyrrhis derives from the Greek word myrrhis [μυρρίς], an aromatic oil from Asia. The Latinspecific epithetodorata meansscented.[5][6]
Myrrhis odorata is a tall herbaceous perennial plant growing to 2 metres (6+1⁄2 ft) tall and1 m (3+1⁄2 ft) wide.[7] Theleaves are fernlike, 2–4-pinnate, finely divided, feathery, up to 50 centimetres (20 in) long, with whitish patches near the rachis. The plant is softly hairy and smells strongly ofaniseed when crushed. Theflowers are creamy-white, about 2–4 mm across, produced in largeumbels. The flowering period extends from May to June.[8] Thefruits are slender, dark brown, 15–25 mm long and 3–4 mm broad.[9][10]
Myrrhis odorata is native to mountains of southern and central Europe, from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus. It has been introduced and naturalized elsewhere in cultivated areas, woodland margins, roadside verges, river banks and grassland.[5][11][12] In the British Isles it is most abundant in northern England and eastern Scotland.[11]
In fertile soils it grows readily from seed, and may be increased by division in spring or autumn.[13]
Its leaves are sometimes used as aherb, either raw or cooked, with a rather strong or sweet taste similar toanise. Also edible are the roots (cooked like parsnips) and seeds (chewed raw).[7] It has a history of use as a medicinal herb.[5]
Like its relatives anise,fennel, andcaraway, it can be used to flavourakvavit.[14] Its essential oils are dominated byanethole.[15]
Data related toMyrrhis at Wikispecies
Media related toMyrrhis odorata at Wikimedia Commons
