Common Name: Wild Liquorice

General Information

Glycyrrhiza echinata is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock. It produces a cluster of stems that can be procumbent to ascending, either simple or branching in their lower part, usually growing 50 - 100cm long[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. Some reports say that it is cultivated as a medicinal plant, but this is probably an error.

Known Hazards

Whilst licorice is basically a very safe and effective medicine, when used over a long period or in large quantities it can raise the blood pressure. A gross overdose of the root can cause oedema, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure[, ].

Botanical References

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Range

Eurasia - Italy through Hungary to southwest Russia and western Siberia; through Greece and Turkey to the Levant, Caucasus, Kazakhstan and Iran

Habitat

Muddy places by rivers[]. Meadows of river valleys[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Glycyrrhiza echinata is said to be not very cold-hardy in one report, which states that it tolerates temperatures dropping for short periods down to between -5 and -10°c[]. However, that report gives the range of this species as southeastern Europe, whilst the species is also found in western Asia to Kazakhstan and Iran. In this more easterly part of its range, the plant is likely to encounter considerably lower temperatures, sometimes for many weeks at a time.
Grows best in a sunny position. Requires a deep well cultivated fertile moisture-retentive soil for good root production[]. Prefers a sandy soil with abundant moisture[]. A slightly alkaline soil produces the best plants[].
Cultivated for its medicinal root in S. Europe[]. Reports that this species has at times been cultivated for its roots are rather dubious. This species has a rather low content of glucosids and so the reports are more likely to refer to Glycyrrhiza glandulifera, with which it has often been confused[].
Unless seed is required, the plant is usually prevented from flowering so that it puts more energy into producing good quality roots[].
A very deep-rooted plant, it can be difficult to eradicate once it is established[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Root - raw or cooked. Very fibrous, it is often boiled to extract the sugars and is a source of Russian and German liquorice[]. It is used as a confection, a sweetener and medicinally[, , ]. A delicious sweet flavour[].
The root contains glycyrrhizin, a substance that is 50 times sweeter than sugar.

The dried root is often used for chewing, it is especially useful for teething children and as a tooth cleaner[].

A tea made from the roots is an excellent thirst quencher.

Medicinal

The root is alterative, expectorant and tonic. It is usually mixed with other herbs, partly at least to improve their taste[].

Other Uses

The plant has been recommended for use in breeding programmes to improve the main commercial licorice species - Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis[].

The dried root is often used for chewing, it is especially useful for teething children and as a tooth cleaner[].

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow spring or autumn in a greenhouse[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on for their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in late spring or early summer when in active growth. Plants are rather slow to grow from seed[].
Division of the root in spring or autumn. Each division must have at least one growth bud. Autumn divisions can either be replanted immediately or stored in clamps until the spring and then be planted out[]. It is best to pt up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a cold frame until they are established before planting them out in the spring or summer.