Osmorhiza occidentalis |
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Sierran sweet-cicely, western sweet-cicely, western sweetroot |
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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 |
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Phenology | Flowering late spring–summer; fruiting summer. |
Habitat | Moist to rather dry forests, thickets, open slopes. |
Elevation | 10–3100 m. [30–10200 ft.] |
Distribution |
CA; CO; ID; MT; NV; OR; UT; WA; WY; AB; BC
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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 | |
Sibling taxa | |
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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