American licorice

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• American licorice
• American licorice
• American wild licorice
• wild licorice
• American Liquorice

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Glycyrrhiza glutinosa
• Glycyrrhiza lepidota var. glutinosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Glycyrrhiza, specifically as the species Glycyrrhiza lepidota.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several regions of Canada. In Western Canada, it can be found growing throughout the province of Alberta. Its range also extends across the vast landscapes of British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Additionally, this species is present within the prairie provinces of Manitoba. Finally, its distribution reaches into Eastern Canada, specifically within the province of Ontario.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Glycyrrhiza lepidota is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived herbaceous plant, it develops an extensive, woody rhizomatous root system that serves as a vital energy reservoir, enabling the organism to survive dormant periods and re-emerge annually. Its developmental cycle involves a transition from initial establishment to a mature phase where it can allocate significant resources to both vegetative expansion via underground rhizomes and reproductive efforts through the production of flowers and seeds. This perennial nature facilitates its ability to colonize stable habitats and maintain a consistent presence within its ecological niche over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Glycyrrhiza lepidota is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial species typically reaches a mean plant height of 1.2 m. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing behavior, such as being a liana or vine, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Glycyrrhiza lepidota is characterized by its specialized metabolic and structural adaptations, most notably its use of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, it undergoes carbon fixation through the Calvin cycle, where the enzyme RuBisCO captures atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce three-carbon compounds, a process that is highly efficient in temperate environments with moderate light and water availability. This metabolic framework supports the plant's vigorous growth and the development of its extensive, deep-reaching rhizomatous root system. The physiological processes within these roots are vital for the synthesis and storage of secondary metabolites, particularly glycyrrhizin, which is sequestered in the parenchymatous tissues. Furthermore, the plant's water-use efficiency and nutrient uptake mechanisms are intrinsically linked to its C3 metabolism, allowing it to thrive in the varied soil conditions of its native North American habitats.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Glycyrrhiza lepidota is primarily driven by its seed production, which exhibits significant variability in physical dimensions. The individual seeds produced by this species are notably lightweight, with a documented mean seed mass of 0.007811111 g. Within the population, the seed size fluctuates considerably, ranging from a minimum mass of 0.0019 g to a maximum mass of 0.00972 g. This range in seed mass suggests a diverse distribution of energy reserves within the reproductive units, which can influence germination success and early seedling establishment in its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.00972 g

Seed mass mean:

0.007811111 g

Seed mass min:

0.0019 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Glycyrrhiza lepidota has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Glycyrrhiza lepidota has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Glepidotin A, Glepidotin B.

Glepidotin A

1. Phytochemistry

Glepidotin B

1. Phytochemistry

Conditions

Glycyrrhiza lepidota has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include HIV-1.

Hiv-1

1. Phytochemistry

Preparations

Glycyrrhiza lepidota has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include organic soluble extract from the leaves.

Organic soluble extract from the leaves

1. Phytochemistry