Longstyle Sweetroot

Longstyle Sweetroot, also called Aniseroot, is a native forest herb with a strong anise fragrance arising from its roots and crushed foliage — one of the most distinctive odors of the eastern woodland floor. It grows in rich, moist forests across North America, producing small white flowers in compound umbels in spring and distinctive elongated, club-shaped fruits by summer. The aromatic roots were used by many Indigenous peoples as a flavoring agent and medicinal plant. It is an important early spring nectar source for native bees.