In the Kuyalnik National Nature Park in Odesa, a unique plant known as Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) has bloomed. This was reported on the park's official Facebook page.
Key points:
- The Glycyrrhiza glabra that bloomed in the Kuyalnik National Nature Park is a rare species protected and included in the Red Book of Ukraine;
- This plant grows on the slopes and shores of the Kuyalnik Liman, and its population is a crucial element of the natural environment;
- Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice, is renowned for its medicinal properties and unique taste.
Glycyrrhiza glabra is listed as an «underappreciated» species in the Red Book of Ukraine, indicating the need for its protection due to insufficient data for full assessment. Additionally, plant communities dominated by licorice are protected in the Green Book of Ukraine, highlighting the importance of ecosystem preservation.
Within the park, Glycyrrhiza glabra grows on the slopes and banks of the Kuyalnik Liman, attracting various insects, especially butterflies. In the wild, this plant is rarely found, primarily in the steppes of southern Ukraine and coastal regions of the Black and Azov Seas.
Experts emphasize that many natural areas where licorice used to grow have been damaged due to military actions, making the population in Kuyalnik National Nature Park vital for biodiversity conservation.
Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) is famous for its medicinal properties and sweet flavor. Glycyrrhizin extracted from its root is 50 times sweeter than sugar and is widely used in pharmaceuticals and the food industry.
