Osmorhiza occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae known by the common name western sweet cicely[1]: 110 orwestern sweetroot.
| Osmorhiza occidentalis | |
|---|---|
| |
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Osmorhiza |
| Species: |
O. occidentalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Osmorhiza occidentalis | |
It is native to western North America, including the Northwestern United States and California. It grows in moist wooded and forested areas, most commonly in montane forests between 1,200–3,000 metres (3,900–9,800 ft).[2][3]
Osmorhiza occidentalis is an erect perennial herb up sometimes exceeding 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall.[4][5]
The green leaves have blades up to 20 centimeters long which are divided into toothed and irregularly cut leaflets. The blade is borne on a long petiole.[4][5]
The inflorescence is a compound umbel of many tiny yellowish flowers at the tip of a stemlike peduncle. The fruit is elongated and narrow, up to 2.2 centimeters long.[4][5]
Many Native American groups used this plant for a great variety of medicinal purposes.[6]
Media related to Osmorhiza occidentalis at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Osmorhiza occidentalis at Wikispecies
