Biological characteristics and growth habits of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

1. Biological characteristics

(1) Flower size and seed characteristics due to different habitats, licorice naturally formed three ecotypes, namely, sand grass, beam grass and beach grass. The flower size of different ecotypes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis is similar, but the difference of seed size is obvious, the order of seed size is beach grass > beam grass > sand grass, and the hard seed rate is beam grass > sand grass > beach grass. Licorice cultivated with seeds generally blossoms and bears fruit after 3 years.

(2) the distribution characteristics of roots and rhizomes of sandy grass are well developed horizontal and vertical rhizomes, uniform growth, large extension of horizontal rhizomes, irregular radiation, and many branches, forming an underground network composed of a large number of lateral roots around the mother plant. Commercial grass is dominated by rhizomes. The rhizome of Liangdi grass is undeveloped and few, the branching plant is few, the extension range is small, the main root is developed but uneven, the shape of the main root is generally thick and thin, the root head is 20~30cm from the ground, the commercial grass is mainly the main root; the horizontal rhizome of beach grass is many and stout, the extension range is large, the branching plant is many, the main root is extremely undeveloped, mostly forked, and the commercial grass is mainly rhizome.

two。 Growth habit

Licorice grows mostly in plains, mountains or river valleys in low-altitude areas of the north temperate zone. Wild licorice associated plants include Apocynum venetum, Artemisia annua, Iris and Ephedra and other plants. The soil is mostly sandy, and the pH value should be neutral or slightly alkaline. Licorice has the characteristics of light-loving, drought-resistant, heat-resistant, saline-alkali resistant and cold-resistant. It is often distributed regionally and has a wide ecological range. It can grow in China's cold Altay and hot Turpan.