Sweetroot, Western (Osmorhiza occidentalis), packet of 10 seeds

Family:  Carrot (Apiaceae)

Hardy to Zones 5 to 9

(Western Sweet Cicely) Perennial woodland plant native to Western North America.  Self-fertile, the plant flowers yellow to 3 feet, giving way to splayed, black stems with dangling, black, lacquered, needle-like seeds.  Seeds edible and tasty, best when immature, with a licorice flavor.  Roots also edible and harmless, a seasoning and medicinal herb. (Actually the purple form is a different species than the seeds that we’re offering here, but frankly the only difference is in color, and we found it impossible to photograph O. occidentalis so are using this picture of the purple form because it serves to differentiate from the surrounding greenery.)  O. occidentalis is a good choice for moist, rich shade gardens and woodland gardens–does well at altitude.   Traditional use (TNAM):  Digestive, stomachic, toothache, antiseptic wash, poultice treating wounds and contusions.  Plant seeds in fall for germination in the spring, or give 120 days moist refrigeration and plant warm.  Space plants 1 foot apart.

10 seeds per packet, Open-pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s