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Sierran sweet-cicely, western sweet-cicely, western sweetroot

Habit Herbs (30–)40–120(–150) cm; roots with strong aniselike odor.
Stems

(1–)3–6(–8), robust.

Leaves

petiole 5–25(–30) cm;

blade (1–)2-pinnate, oblong to ovate, (8–)10–22 cm;

leaflets broadly lanceolate to ovate, 2–10(–12) cm, incised or lobed at base, margins serrate, apex acute.

Umbels

rather constricted, of (3–)5–15 umbellets, (1–)3–10(–12) of them staminate, remainder including (1–)2–6 bisexual flowers;

involucral bracts 0 or 1–2, linear, minute;

rays spreading-ascending to nearly erect, (2.8–)3–8(–9.5) cm;

involucel bractlets 0 or 1(–2), linear-lanceolate, minute.

Pedicels

spreading to ascending, of bisexual flowers (2–)2.5–7(–10) mm, of staminate 2–4.5(–6) mm.

Flowers

petals yellow to greenish yellow;

stylopodium low-conic;

disc conspicuous;

styles including stylopodium (0.7–)0.9–1.4(–1.8) mm.

Schizocarps

linear-fusiform;

mericarps (12–)13–22 mm, caudate appendage absent or rarely to 1.8 mm, apex slightly constricted below stylopodium, ribs glabrous.

Osmorhiza occidentalis

Phenology Flowering late spring–summer; fruiting summer.
Habitat Moist to rather dry forests, thickets, open slopes.
Elevation 10–3100 m. [30–10200 ft.]
Distribution
from FNA
CA; CO; ID; MT; NV; OR; UT; WA; WY; AB; BC
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[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Root decoctions and infusions of Osmorhiza occidentalis are used medicinally, most often for respiratory infections. Roots have also been used for indigestion, skin conditions ranging from sores to bruises and swellings, snakebite, gynecological issues, toothache, and eye troubles, and have been chewed as a confection or used as a source of pleasant scent (D. E. Moerman 1998). One apparent hybrid between O. occidentalis and, probably, O. berteroi is known from an unusually low altitude in Oregon.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 13.
Parent taxa Apiaceae > Osmorhiza
Sibling taxa
O. berteroi, O. bipatriata, O. brachypoda, O. claytonii, O. depauperata, O. longistylis, O. purpurea
Synonyms Glycosma occidentalis
Name authority (Nuttall ex Torrey & A. Gray) Torrey in W. H. Emory: Rep. U.S. Mex. Bound. 2(1): 71. (1859)
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