Wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) is a native legume that grows in prairies, along streambanks, and in open woodlands across the Northern Plains. I saw just tons of it while exploring the badlands of North Dakota over the weekend. The plant takes its name from the faint licorice-like flavor of its roots, which have been used traditionally as both food and medicine. But, the licorice candy does not use wild licorice for flavor.
Its flowers may look clover-like at first glance (I think they do), though botanists technically describe them as pea-shaped. If you’ve ever studied a sweet pea, garden pea, or clover bloom up close, you may recognize the pattern: one petal held upright like a sail, two wing-like petals on the sides, and a folded bottom petal shaped like the prow of a boat.
In Minnesota and North Dakota, wild licorice is relatively abundant, but in Wisconsin it is listed as a species of “special concern,” a designation that signals vulnerability in its populations. In New York state, it’s considered to be extirpated, which means present historically, but no longer persisting in the wild. Wherever you are, foragers should always harvest responsibly to help ensure the plant remains part of the landscape.
How to Identify:
- Upright plant 1 to 3 feet tall with compound leaves made up of 7 to 17 oval leaflets
- Small, pale green to purplish clover or pea-like flowers in spike-like clusters
- Distinctive seed pods covered in hooked bristles
- Prefers sandy or loamy soils in open, sunny areas
Look-Alikes to Watch For:
- Groundnut (Apios americana) — similar vining habit and compound leaves but with darker flowers
- Sweet Clover (Melilotus spp.) — taller, more branched growth with smaller leaves and yellow or white flower spikes
- Other native legumes — confirm by bristly seed pods and root scent
Additional Notes:
- Roots have a mild licorice flavor and were traditionally used by Indigenous peoples
- Not the same species as commercial licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) but shares similar compounds
- Supports nitrogen fixation and prairie soil health
- Bristly seed pods can cling to clothing and animal fur
Wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) with seed pods in North Dakota (August 24).
About the Author:
Sabrina Halvorson is a journalist and author by profession, herbalist and forager by passion. In addition to her journalism education, she is a University of Minnesota Extension Master Naturalist, the North Dakota chapter coordinator for Herbalists Without Borders, and a graduate of the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. Sabrina is the appointed to the World Agriculture Forum, an international council of agriculture experts, and was named the 2024 Farm Broadcaster of the Year from the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. Learn more about her journalism and agriculture experience at sabrinahalvorson.com.
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