...May flowers - Sweet Cicely

We've all heard the rhyme "April showers bring May flowers", but just what blooms in May? 
Follow along as we post about a new flower every day in May, some familiar, some may be new, all beautiful in their unique sort of way!

Sweet Cicely aka Osmorhiza longistylis, aniseroot, wild licorice, is a hairy plant with small sparse compound umbels of white flowers growing on 1-3ft solitary stems. Leaves are divided into threes, two or three times. 
When bruised, the root of this plant has an anise-like odor. 
Several different species grow in the East. 

​From Illinois Wildflowers....
"Aniseroot (Osmorhiza longistylis) can be distinguished from many similar species in the Carrot family by the anise fragance of its foliage and roots. This species closely resembles Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytonii) and they are often confused with each other. However, Sweet Cicely has only 4-7 flowers per umbellet, while Aniseroot has 7-16 flowers per umbellet. While the fruits of these two species are still immature, the persistent styles of Sweet Cicely are 1.0-2.0 mm. in length, while the persistent styles of Aniseroot are 2.0-3.5 mm. in length. The foliage and roots of Aniseroot have a stronger anise scent than those of Sweet Cicely, and its root can be used as a substitute for black licorice."
​