American Licorice
Glycyrrhiza lepidota
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States, Virgin Islands
iNaturalist: © whitemudwayne (iNaturalist #167514404)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Glycyrrhiza
- Species:
- Glycyrrhiza lepidota
- USDA Symbol:
- GLLE3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Filatima glycyrhizaeella, Melissa Blue (Lycaeides melissa), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus) Butterflies:Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.5 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Often found in prairies and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) followed by cold stratification.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Butterfield Seeds (seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)