Umbellifer for identification

[davidbr]

I'm hoping that someone can help me out of a brain-freeze moment! I came across this fruiting umbellifer, with the odd flower remnant left, earlier today and I know I've seen, photographed & identified this plant before... only for the life of me I can't remember what it's called! Help!!

[KeenTeen17]

its almost certainly sweet cicely. it should have smelt of aniseed

[Gypsy Orchid]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

its almost certainly sweet cicely. it should have smelt of aniseed

I agree with KT the seed are quite different to most umbellifers I have never seen it do not think it grows in the South

[aeshna5]

KT17 is spot-on with this. It is Sweet Cicely. I remember some years back seeing a lot growing along a river near Derby.

I've not seen it in the wild in the SE, but common in herb gardens, etc + have grown it in the past + it didn't self seed. An attractive plant.

[leifus]

Originally Posted by davidbr

I'm hoping that someone can help me out of a brain-freeze moment! I came across this fruiting umbellifer, with the odd flower remnant left, earlier today and I know I've seen, photographed & identified this plant before... only for the life of me I can't remember what it's called! Help!!

sweet ciceley

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

its almost certainly sweet cicely. it should have smelt of aniseed

Yes, that's the one

I think what threw me is that i just didn't expect to find it in south-west England (the picture was taken in suburban Bristol), I've seen it before in North Wales but thought it wasn't found in the southern parts of the country at all.

Having said that, this area around a railway line & station has produced a good variety of unusual aliens over the course of the summer, so I suppose it must be a recent escape or casual from someone's culinary garden

[wildherbalian85]

I though tthis stuff only grew in the east of the country?? I remeber picking some of the seed pods from plants found growing at South Sheilds.... or im confusing this with another umbrella plant with aniseed scented/ flavoured

[KeenTeen17]

I think only sweet cicely smells like aniseed

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by davidbr

....i just didn't expect to find it in south-west England (the picture was taken in suburban Bristol), I've seen it before in North Wales but thought it wasn't found in the southern parts of the country...

Sweet Cicely is indicated on Botanical Society of British Isles hectad distribution maps in the Weston-Super-Mare area.

Regards
Mike.

[Chris Yeates]

its a very interesting distribution, mostly north and west of a line from Flamborough Head to the Severn

just looking at this distribution (often in areas with low human populations) and its general absence from the south-east, you would never guess that originally this was a non-native, deliberate introduction

Chris