Common Name:

General Information

Glycyrrhiza triphylla is a herbaceous perennial plant with stems branching from a woody base. The stems can grow 20 - 40cm long[].
We have found no records of current or past usage of this species, but research papers show its potential as a food and medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

W. Asia - Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Afghanistan to Pakistan

Habitat

Stony slopes, especially in river valleys, springs, etc[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].
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

An essential oil obtained from the aerial portions of the plant has potential as a natural food preservative in the food industry[].

Medicinal

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and stems. It comprises more than 50 compounds, the major ones being beta-caryophyllene (25.4%), limonene (16.7%), beta-myrcene (16.0%) and alpha-humulene (4.4%). The oil has een shown to be an effective antibacterial against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, especially against Micrococcus luteus. The oil is also a very active antioxidant[].

The root contains many of the compounds found in other, medicinally used, licorice species (including Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis) and is of potential use as a herbal treatment[, ].

Other Uses

A methanolic extract of the roots contains glycyrrhizic acid, a known sweetening agent. This makes the roots of potential use in confectionery production or as a sweetening and flavouring agent in the food, tobacco and beer industries[].

An essential oil obtained from the plant has medicinal potential[].

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.