Osmorhiza occidentalis - Western Sweet-Cicely

Family:	Umbelliferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Western N. America.

Osmorhiza occidentalis (Western Sweet-Cicely) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Western Sweet-Cicely will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Western Sweet-Cicely prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Western Sweet-Cicely can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Shady or partly shady areas, often on slopes and in valleys[60, 85].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any deep moisture-retentive soil in sun or dappled shade[200]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[200]. Well suited to naturalistic plantings in a woodland or wild garden[200]. A sweetly aromatic plant[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
The root has a sweet liquorice or anise flavour and can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a flavouring for biscuits etc[85, 183, 257]. The taste is probably too strong for the whole root to be used as a vegetable[85]. The dried seeds are used as a flavouring[85, 183, 257]. The unripe seed, when still fleshy, can be nibbled raw[85, 183].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
Western sweet-cicely was widely employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it particularly to treat digestive disorders and as an antiseptic wash for a range of problems[257]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. An infusion of the plant is used in the treatment of coughs and colds[61, 257]. The roots are antiseptic, carminative, febrifuge, oxytocic, pectoral and stomachic[257]. An infusion has been used to induce labour in a pregnant woman and to treat fevers, indigestion, flatulence, stomach aches etc[257]. An infusion of the roots has been applied externally as a treatment for swollen breasts, sores, sore eyes etc[257]. A decoction of the root has been used as a wash on venereal sores and skin rashes[257]. A poultice of the pulped roots has been used in the treatment of cuts, sores, swellings and bruises[257]. The root has been applied to teeth to relive the pain of toothache[257]. A hot decoction of the root has been used to kill head lice[257].

• Antiseptic - Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Ophthalmic - Treats eye complaints.
• Oxytoxic - Hastens parturition and stimulates uterine contractions. See also birthing aids.
• Pectoral - Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Skin - Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise sow it in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Scented parts of the plants

Leaves : Crushed

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The roots have been used by women as a feminine deodorant[257]. They have also been placed in the clothes cupboard to impart a nice smell to clothes and have been used to rinse babies nappies[257]. A decoction of the root has been used as a dip to kill lice in chickens[257].

• Deodorant - A pleasant smelling plant that is used on the body to mask the human smell.
• Incense - Aromatic plants that can be burnt to impart a pleasant smell, repel insects and disinfect closed areas.
• Insecticide - Kills insects.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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