Family: Fabaceae Lindl.
Distribution: Species is native to central and western North America, and occasionally introduced in the east part of Canada and US.
Ecology: Prairies, stream valleys, roadside, in full sun to partial shade; elevations 500–2000 m. Blooms in July and August.
Description: Perennial herb. Stems 30–100 cm tall, coarse, branched, from woody rootstock. Alternate leaves, pinnately compound with 11–19 leaflets; leaflets lance-shaped, 2–4 cm long, 5–16 mm wide, dotted with small glands. Flower cluster is a dense raceme 3–4 cm long, borne on long stalks originating in leaf axils. Flowers are yellowish white, irregular, 10–15 mm long with 5 sepals and 5 petals, 10 stamens and 1 pistil. Fruit is a bur-like legume with hooked prickles, reddish brown, 1–2 cm long.
Notes: The roots of this plant taste sweet and have a slight licorice flavour and for this some Indian tribes used to chew the roots. Glycyrrhiza means “sweet root” in Greek.
These images were taken in Canada, Alberta, Calgary, Confluence Park (summer 2013).
