Glycyrrhiza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glycyrrhiza |
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| Glycyrrhiza glabra | |
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Glycyrrhiza
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~18, see text |
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Glycyrrhiza is a special group of about 18 different kinds of plants. These plants are part of the pea family, also known as Fabaceae. You can find them growing in many parts of the world, including Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas.
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About Glycyrrhiza Plants
The most famous plant from the Glycyrrhiza group is Glycyrrhiza glabra. This plant is well-known because it's where we get liquorice from! Liquorice is a sweet flavor often used in candies and drinks. Glycyrrhiza glabra originally comes from the Mediterranean region.
Where Do These Plants Grow?
While not much Glycyrrhiza glabra grows in North America, there's a common native plant there called American Licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota). Other types of Glycyrrhiza are also grown. These include Russian Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza echinata) and Chinese Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis).
Chinese Liquorice and Traditional Medicine
Glycyrrhiza uralensis is very important in traditional Chinese medicine. In Chinese, it's called gāncǎo, which means "sweet grass" or "sweet herb." People have used it for a long time for its natural properties.
Different Kinds of Glycyrrhiza
Here are some of the species found in the Glycyrrhiza genus:
- Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa
- Glycyrrhiza aspera
- Glycyrrhiza astragalina
- Glycyrrhiza bucharica
- Glycyrrhiza echinata - Russian liquorice
- Glycyrrhiza eglandulosa
- Glycyrrhiza foetida
- Glycyrrhiza foetidissima
- Glycyrrhiza glabra - liquorice, licorice
- Glycyrrhiza gontscharovii
- Glycyrrhiza iconica
- Glycyrrhiza korshinskyi
- Glycyrrhiza lepidota - American licorice
- Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora
- Glycyrrhiza squamulosa
- Glycyrrhiza triphylla
- Glycyrrhiza uralensis - Chinese liquorice
- Glycyrrhiza yunnanensis
Images for kids
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Glycyrrhiza echinata Fruits and Seeds - MHNT
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Plant as used in Chinese herbology (crude medicine)
See also
In Spanish: Glycyrrhiza para niños
