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Myrrhis odorata (L.) Scop., Sweet Cicely

Account Summary

Introduction, neophyte, scarce and local.

1934; Praeger, R.Ll.; Castle Caldwell.

March to November.

Growth form and preferred habitats

A softly and rather sparingly hairy, 60-200 cm tall, 2- to 4-pinnate, fern-leaved perennial smelling strongly and sweetly of aniseed when bruised, this ancient cultivated 'potable' (ie edible) and medicinal herb tends to occur either as individual clumps or more extensive patches spreading in rough grasslands along road- and path-side habitats (particularly in hedge and stream banks of more upland districts) and in waste or neglected ground, usually near habitation. It prefers fairly dry, nutrient- and mull-rich bare soils, preferably in half-shade but also in full sun (Jonsell & Karlsson 2010). Additional Fermanagh habitats are described below. The leaves are pale beneath and they usually have very characteristic, unique flecks or blotches of white on their upper surfaces (Tutin 1980).

Flowering reproduction

M. odorata flowers early in May and June, its inflorescence is a compound umbel of 4-10(-21) hairy rays, 1.5-3.0 cm long; its white flowers have radiating outer petals. The flowers are very attractive to bees which act as pollinators. The schizocarp fruit is remarkably large, 15-25 mm long and it has a short beak. The tall, stout, hollow stems of the plant provide the necessary height to scatter the seed efficiently in the late summer and autumn. Apart from a limited ability of the fruits to float downstream from established stands on waterside banks and potentially to recolonise suitable open soil, M. odorata is a poor colonist (Tutin 1980; Grime et al. 1988, 2007; Sell & Murrell 2009).

The seeds germinate in the spring in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil, whether in sun or shade, provided it is neither too acid, too wet, or more than lightly disturbed or grazed (Grime et al. 1988, 2007). By virtue of a stout, deep-penetrating taproot up to 35 mm thick, the species regularly becomes established and long-persistent, as is proven in many sites around the country. While the plant is well equipped to survive and it often forms colonies that produce plenty of seed (it has the largest seed of any herbaceous wildflower in these islands – but it is really a dry fruit that splits into two mericarps), M. odorata seldom if ever travels very far from where it has been planted.

Fermanagh occurrence

In Fermanagh, M. odorata has been recorded from 22 thinly scattered tetrads (4.2%), 15 of which have post-1975 dates.

It is very often located in waste ground near houses or old ruined wall-steads, from the gardens or refuse heaps of which it has escaped. Very occasionally it is also found in or near graveyards, as at Monea Roman Catholic chapel, where it persisted for at least 37 years, from 1951-88. Grigson (1955, 1987) observed the churchyard association of Sweet Cicely in S Wales, where he thought it was cultivated near headstones possibly as "a plant of memory and sweetness".

Status of the species

While in Ireland, M. odorata has always been recognised as a thoroughly naturalised garden escape (Cat Alien Pl Ir), in Britain it previously was regarded as at least 'possibly native' (eg Clapham et al. 1962). The third edition of the Flora of the British Isles declared the species an introduction (Clapham et al. 1987). However, the status of M. odorata remained sufficiently questionable for Clement & Foster (1994) to accept it, "with reservations as native" in their book Alien plants of the British Isles. The New Atlas recognised the species as a neophyte, ie introduced after 1500 AD, first recorded in the wild in 1777 (M.F. Watson, in: Preston et al. 2002).

British and Irish occurrence

The New Atlas indicates M. odorata is widespread throughout the whole length of Britain, but very much more prevalent north of Birmingham, becoming increasingly eastern in N Scotland. The Irish distribution maintains the northern emphasis in the pattern, the plant being very nearly confined to the six counties of NI and very much more frequent west of the River Bann and Lough Neagh. This distinctive and rather odd pattern of naturalisation led Praeger (1915) to argue that M. odorata, along with other medicinal herbs of high repute such as Masterwort (Peucedanum ostruthium), Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) and Elecampane (Inula helenium) was introduced by Scottish settlers at the time of the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century. A glance at the distribution maps of these herbs will readily indicate that Praeger was probably correct in his supposition.

European and world occurrence

M. odorata is believed to have originated in SC Europe. Hultén & Fries (1986, Map 1391) plot the native area as (presumably the foothills of) the Spanish Picos, Pyrenees, Alps, N Apennines, plus the Dinaric Alps and mountains of Croatia, Hercegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia (ie the old Yugoslavia). It was introduced into cultivation northwards and eastwards of its origin and has become widely naturalised as far north as Trondheim in Norway and SW Iceland. It is said to be still spreading in Scandinavian countries (Jonsell & Karlsson 2010). It has been widely introduced elsewhere, including in Chile (Hultén & Fries 1986).

Uses

Sweet Cicely (or 'Sweet Fern' – two among many English common names) was previously used as an addition to salads, or boiled as a vegetable when every part of the plant was eaten. The long, brown pod-like fruits are particularly full flavoured. As a medicine it was supposedly useful for both coughs and flatulence, and as a "gentle stimulant for debilitated stomachs" (Grieve 1931). The roots were also regarded as antiseptic and were also used to treat the bites of vipers and mad dogs (Grieve 1931, p. 201).

Names

The genus name 'Myrrhis' is derived from the Greek 'myrrha' or 'murra' meaning 'perfume' or 'fragrant' (Johnson & Smith 1946), but there is also a connection with the ancient name of true myrrh from the Bible, the gum resin from the small E African and Arabian shrub Commiphora myrrh (Grigson 1974; Gledhill 1985). The Latin specific epithet 'odorata' also translates as 'fragrant' (Johnson & Smith 1946).

Fourteen English common names are listed from around B & I by Grigson (1955, 1987), of which most refer to the sweet aniseed aroma, eg 'Anise', 'Annaseed', 'Sweet Bracken', 'Sweet Cis', 'Sweet Humlick' (ie Hemlock). A Lancashire name listed by Grigson (1955, 1987) is 'Roman Plant', which probably refers to the growth of the plant as a potherb and medicine in Roman Catholic monastery gardens.

Threats

None.