Description: This native perennial plant is about 2' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are light green or reddish green and covered with long white hairs (in this variety of Aniseroot). The alternate leaves are ternately compound; the lower compound leaves are up to 1' long with long petioles, while the upper compound leaves are much smaller. Each compound leaf is divided into 3 compound leaflets; the terminal compound leaflet is the largest. Each compound leaflet is further divided into 3 leaflets; the terminal leaflet is the largest. Each leaflet is more or less shallowly cleft or coarsely crenate along its margins. In this variety of Aniseroot, there are scattered fine hairs across the upper surface of the foliage.
Some of the upper stems terminate in
compound umbels of white flowers. There are about 5 umbellets per compound
umbel. An umbellet usually has 8-16 flowers and several linear-lanceolate
bracts at its base. An umbellet is 1–2" across and its flowers are crowded
together. Each tiny flower has 5 white petals that are notched at their tips, 5
white stamens, and a white slender stigma that is at least 2 mm. long (about as
long or a little longer than the petals). The blooming period occurs during the
late spring or very early summer and lasts about 2-3 weeks. The seeds are long,
slender, 5-ribbed, and slightly bristly along the edges. The root system
consists of a thick taproot with a strong anise scent.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade or
dappled sunlight, moist to mesic conditions, and rich loamy soil. In a garden
situation, it will probably thrive in a sheltered area underneath a
tree.
Range & Habitat: Aniseroot
occurs in most counties of central and northern Illinois, where it is
occasional to locally common; in southern Illinois, it is often uncommon or
absent (see
Distribution
Map). This distribution map combines information for the two varieties of
Aniseroot; the hairy variety, described here, is slightly less common than the
typical variety. Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands on level ground and
the slopes of ravines, particularly in Maple-Basswood woodlands.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers
attracts short-tongued bees (Halictid bees primarily), Nomadine Cuckoo bees,
and various flies; some of the short-tongued bees also collect pollen. Less
common insect visitors to the flowers are wasps and beetles. The caterpillars
of the butterfly Papilio polyxenes asturias (Black Swallowtail) feed on
the foliage. The bristly seeds can cling to the fur of mammals and the feathers
of birds; these animals help to disperse the seeds across considerable
distances.
Photographic Location: A
mesic deciduous woodland at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois. In the lower
photograph, fine white hairs are observable on the terminal leaflet to the far
right if you look closely.
Comments:
The typical variety of Aniseroot has hairless stems. This species closely
resembles Osmorhiza claytonii (Sweet Cicely) and is often confused with
it. However, Sweet Cicely has only 4-7 flowers per umbellet, while Aniseroot
usually has 8-16 flowers per umbellet (less often 7). The styles in the flowers
of Sweet Cicely are up to 1.5 mm (shorter than the petals), while the styles in
the flowers of Aniseroot are at least 2.0 mm (as long or longer than the
petals). Another difference between these two species is the appearance of the
foliage: the leaflets of Sweet Cicely are more deeply cleft than the leaflets
of Aniseroot, otherwise they are quite similar. To distinguish an Osmorhiza
spp. from other white-flowered members of the Carrot family, it is helpful
to crush some foliage in one's hands: If it is an Osmorhiza spp., this
should produce a noticeable anise scent. Aniseroot usually produces a stronger
anise scent than Sweet Cicely, and its root can be used as a substitute for
black licorice.