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Glite Dictionary
Glycyrrhiza lepidota

Glycyrrhiza lepidota

9.9
A North American plant in the pea family with a sweet root used like licorice
  • noun
  • /ˌɡlɪsəˈrɪzə lɛpɪˈdoʊtə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : regaliz americano
  • The dried root of Glycyrrhiza lepidota can serve as a substitute for true licorice in herbal remedies.

Examples

  • Native Americans traditionally used the root of Glycyrrhiza lepidota for its sweet flavor and medicinal benefits.

  • The root of Glycyrrhiza lepidota is often used in herbal medicine.

  • Glycyrrhiza lepidota grows widely across prairies and streambanks throughout North America.

  • Have you ever tried Glycyrrhiza lepidota for its flavor?

  • Native Americans traditionally used the root of Glycyrrhiza lepidota for its sweet flavor and medicinal benefits.

  • The dried root of Glycyrrhiza lepidota has similar properties to true licorice and is used in herbal remedies.

  • Glycyrrhiza lepidota grows widely across prairies and streambanks, providing both flavor and medicinal uses.

Synonyms

American licorice
vsGlycyrrhiza lepidota
  • US
8.7

A North American plant with a sweet root that people chew or use to sweeten drinks

emphasizes medicinal root properties rather than only sweet taste

Surface Forms

Glycyrrhiza lepidota singular
Glycyrrhiza lepidotas plural

Morphology

Glycyrrhiza + lepidota

The genus name Glycyrrhiza clearly signals a licorice-like herb, so part of the meaning (that this is a plant related to true licorice) is derivable from the constituents. However the species epithet 'lepidota' is obscure/not provided and the binomial is a technical botanical label, so the full descriptive sense (a specific North American species with particular root properties) is not predictable to a B1 learner without specialized knowledge.

Etymology

Glycyrrhiza lepidota comes from ancient Greek words: Glycyrrhiza means 'sweet root' and lepidota means 'small scales'. So the name is a simple memory hook — it tells you this North American plant has a sweet, licorice-like root used for flavor and medicine.