Greek glykys — sweet, rhiza — root, referring to the sweet roots of G. glabra that are used for liquorice
productionPerennial herbs with glandular hairs. Leaves alternate, pinnate, with 5-17 gland-dotted, aromatic leaflets, rarely 3; stipules small, soon shed. Flowers axillary, of 10-60 flowers. Petals yellow, blue or mauvish. Stamens in 2 series, the upper series shortly united at the base. Fruit pod cylindrical or flattened.
About 20 species, widespread, mostly temperate and subtropical, with 1 Australian native species.
G. glabra L. is the source of liquorice used in confectionery, cough medicines and the production of stout beer.
Leaflets 5 or more, the terminal one no larger than the others; pods 1-6-seeded.
Source: (2002). Fabaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.