Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata)

Clump-forming herbaceous perennial growing 60cm-1m/2-3ft high.  Grows in most well-drained soils in sun to moderate shade.  Lovely white flowers followed by long, narrow seeds.

Fresh-looking leaves and shoots can be harvested throughout the season, and used in salads, soups or stews. Roots can be harvested in winter and used as other root crops – grated raw or cooked.  All have a mild anise flavour.  Green seeds can also be used as a spice. Stems and leaves are traditionally cooked with rhubarb to reduce the need for adding sugar as there is a compound found in Sweet Cicely that is actually sweeter than Sucrose.

Sweet Cicely is a great insect attractor and is also a mineral accumulator due to its long tap root.