Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Apiaceae / Umbelliferae ⟩ Myrrhis odorata / sweet cicely

Myrrhis odorata (L.) Scop.

sweet cicely (Apiaceae / Umbelliferae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadModerate tendencyN
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Myrrhis odorata is native to the mountains of southern Europe, but has become naturalised over much of northern Europe. It is one of a few species in the family that smell strongly of aniseed when crushed.

Burtersett (VC65: North-West Yorkshire); 2017-05-23

 sweet cicely / Myrrhis odorata: _Myrrhis odorata_ is native to the mountains of southern Europe, but has become naturalised over much of northern Europe. It is one of a few species in the family that smell strongly of aniseed when crushed.

Flowers and immature fruit.

Burtersett (VC65: North-West Yorkshire); 2017-05-23

 sweet cicely / Myrrhis odorata: Flowers and immature fruit.

The fruit of Myrrhis odorata are exceptionally large for the family.

Yockenthwaite (VC64: Mid-West Yorkshire); 2016-07-05

 sweet cicely / Myrrhis odorata: The fruit of _Myrrhis odorata_ are exceptionally large for the family.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne