Plant Details

Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Gan Cao

Back

Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

Use this plant

Log in to add this plant to your recipes.

Log in

Common names

19 names · 12 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Chinese Liquorice[1]
  • Gan Cao
  • Ural Licorice[1]
Other languages (11)
Dutch
  • Chinees zoethout
French
  • Réglisse de Chine
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 乌拉尔甘草[1]
  • 无腺毛甘草[1]
  • 甘草[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 無腺毛甘草[1]
  • 甘草[1]
Japanese
  • ウラルカンゾウ[1]
Korean
Mongolian
  • Урал чихэр-өвс[1]
Polish
  • lukrecja chińska[1]
Russian
  • Солодка Нежелезистая[1]
  • Солодка уральская[1]
Slovak
  • sladké drievko uralské[1]
Turkish
  • Ural Meyanı[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Glycyrrhiza uralensis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Chinese Liquorice — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • 甘草 — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • Солодка уральская — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • 甘草 — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • 乌拉尔甘草 — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • Урал чихэр-өвс — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • 감초 — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • ウラルカンゾウ — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • Ural Licorice — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • lukrecja chińska — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • 無腺毛甘草 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • 无腺毛甘草 — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • Солодка Нежелезистая — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • Ural Meyanı — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • sladké drievko uralské — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
  • 蕗草 — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 775858; Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

General information

Scientific name: Glycyrrhiza uralensis
Accepted name (Kew): Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Fabaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Glycyrrhiza (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Gan Cao
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.60 m
Spread: 0.40 m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-9
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Root, Sweetener
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(4)
Functions:
Nitrogen fixer

Description

The root of the plant is often used as a natural sweetener for foods. To obtain the sweet flavor, the root is boiled in water to extract the sugars. This sweetener, which contains glycyrrhizin, is up to 50 times sweeter than sugar. It is used as a substitute for licorice in various products such as candy, medicines, and drinks.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/10
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 802041; name ID 2827696; Glycyrrhiza Tourn. ex L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1401393; name ID 2827776; Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Glycyrrhiza uralensis

    Taxonomic data from WCVP-Fabaceae, version 2026, v.7, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 3803085, ID 9CX4R: Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. (accepted).

    Source checked on .