Osmorhiza occidentalis aka Western Sweetroot

Osmorhiza occidentalis belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is a perennial, which means it lives for years. People call it western sweet-cicely or western sweetroot. It comes from western Canada and the western United States. In Canada, it grows in southern British Columbia and southwestern Alberta. Its United States range reaches California, Colorado, and Wyoming. It grows in temperate regions, in shade or part shade. In the wild, it grows on slopes and in valleys.

This sweet-scented plant grows about 3.3 feet [1 metre] tall. Its scent adds interest to woodland and wild gardens. It suits beds, woodland edges, and spots with dappled shade. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The plant is self-fertile: it needs no second plant for seed. The sources give no season for its flowers. They do not describe its fruit, leaves, or stems.

Grow it in deep soil that holds moisture. It accepts sand, loam, and clay soils. The soil can be mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline. It needs moist ground, not a dry site. Grow it in sun or dappled shade. PFAF reports cold tolerance to about -4°F [-20°C]. It lists USDA zones 5–9 for this plant. These traits suit a moist woodland bed or sunny edge. PFAF does not flag it as a weed.

The roots and seeds have food uses as flavourings. The root tastes sweet, with notes of anise or liquorice. People dry and grind it into a powder for baking. Its strong taste limits its use as a whole vegetable. Dried seeds also serve as a seasoning. People have eaten the fleshy, unripe seeds raw. PFAF lists no known hazards for this species. This does not mean every use is safe for everyone.

Several Indigenous peoples of North America used this plant as medicine. They used it for gut problems, fevers, coughs, and colds. Some made antiseptic washes, used to kill germs. They used other forms to induce labour. These past uses do not prove these treatments are safe. PFAF reports little use in modern herbal practice. People also used roots to scent clothes and as deodorants. They used a root decoction against lice on chickens. A decoction is a liquid made by boiling plant parts. The sources name no garden pests or diseases.