Myrrhis. (Name used by Dioscorides.) Umbelliferae. One species, an aromatic, perennial nerb to 2m; stems hollow, puberulent. Leaves 2-3-pinnate, segments 1-3cm, oblong-lanceolate, pinnatifid or deeply toothed, pale beneath, often blotched white. Umbels compound with 4-20 pubescent rays 1.5-3cm; involucre usually absent; involucel of some five slender bracteoles; flowers white, male and bisexual on terminal umbel, male only on some lateral umbels; petals cuneate-obovate, the outermost radiating. Fruit 15-25mm, linear-oblong; mericarps sharply ridged, dark brown, with bristly hairs. Early summer. Europe. Z5.

Grown for its sweetly aromatic and fern-like leaves which emerge in late winter and very early spring (persisting until the following early winter) and for its umbels of clean white flowers in early summer, sweet cicely has a number of applications in the garden. It is grown in the herb garden for its culinary and medicinal virtues, and is well suited to naturalising in woodland walks and for plantings in the shrub border, its fresh green foliage makes an attractive foil to other plants, and may be used to cover ground previously occupied by bulbs or early perennials that have died back and left unattractive spaces. It is hardy to at least -15ºC.

Grow in any deep, moisture-retentive soil, in sun or dappled shade. Myrrhis odorata self-seeds freely, and must be dead-headed where this is likely to be a nuisance. Propagate from ripe seed, by careful division or by root cuttings, in sping or autumn. Sweet cicely may also be referred to as Garden Myrrh.