Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex Dc.

An erect herb. It grows 40-100 cm high and spreads 30-60 cm wide. It keeps growing from year to year. The underground stems or rhizomes are branched. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 10-25 cm long. The flowers are violet and white. They are in dense compact spikes 7 cm long. The fruit are oblong and curved pods. They are 4 cm long.

It is a temperate plant. It is hardy to frosts. In north China it grows on sandy land and dry riverbanks between 400-2,700 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

The roots are used as a sweetener for food. It should only be used in small amounts. The roots can be toxic.

Plants can be grown by seed or by division.