Cicely

Cicely
Cicely
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Myrrhis
Species: M. odorata
Binomial name
Myrrhis odorata
(L.) Scop.

Cicely or Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) is a plant belonging to the family Apiaceae, native to Central Europe; it is the sole species in the genus Myrrhis. It is a tall herbaceous perennial plant, depending on circumstances growing to 2 m [6 ft 6 in] tall. The leaves are finely divided, feathery, up to 50 cm long. The flowers are white, about 2-4 mm across, produced in large umbels. The seeds are slender, 15-25 mm long and 3-4 mm broad.

Cultivation and uses

Its leaves are sometimes used as a herb, either raw or cooked, with a rather strong taste reminiscent of anise; it is used mainly in Germany and Scandinavia. Like its relatives anise, fennel, and caraway, it can also be used to flavour akvavit. Its essential oils are dominated by anethole. The roots and seeds also are edible. Additionally, it has a history of use as a medicinal herb.

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • cicely — (also sweet cicely) ► NOUN (pl. cicelies) ▪ an aromatic white flowered plant with fern like leaves. ORIGIN Greek seselis …   English terms dictionary

  • cicely — [sis′ə lē] n. pl. cicelies [ME seseli < L seselis < Gr] SWEET CICELY …   English World dictionary

  • Cicely — Cic e*ly, n. [L. seselis, Gr. ?, ?; perh. ultimately of Egyptian origin.] (Bot.) Any one of several umbelliferous plants, of the genera {Myrrhis}, {Osmorrhiza}, etc. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cicely — f English: variant spelling of CECILY (SEE Cecily). This was a common form of the name in the Middle Ages. Cognate: Scandinavian: Sissel. Pet form: English: SISSY (SEE Sissy) …   First names dictionary

  • Cicely — [sis′ə lē] n. a feminine name: see CECILIA1 …   English World dictionary

  • Cicely — Seriendaten Deutscher Titel: Ausgerechnet Alaska Originaltitel: Northern Exposure Produktionsland: USA Produktionsjahr(e): 1990–1995 Episodenlänge: etwa 45 Minuten Episodenanzahl …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • cicely — [ sɪsɪli] (also sweet cicely) noun (plural cicelies) an aromatic white flowered plant of the parsley family, with fern like leaves. [Myrrhis odorata (Europe), Osmorhiza claytoni (N. America), and other species.] Origin C16: from L. seselis, from… …   English new terms dictionary

  • cicely — /sis euh lee/, n., pl. cicelies. a plant, Myrrhis odorata, of the parsley family, having a fragrant aroma and sometimes used as a potherb. [1590 1600; < L seseli < Gk séselis, séseli hartwort, resp. through influence of proper name Cicely] * * *… …   Universalium

  • Cicely — noun a variant of Cecily and Cecilia used since the Middle Ages. First Servant. Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket …   Wiktionary

  • cicely — n. type of aromatic plant of the parsley family used as a potherb, sweet cicely …   English contemporary dictionary

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