In the Kulyalnytskyi National Nature Park in Odesa, a rare plant known as licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) has once again bloomed. This was announced on the park's official social media page.
Key points:
- The licorice that bloomed in the Kulyalnytskyi National Nature Park is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine;
- This plant thrives on the slopes and shores of the Kulyalnytskyi Liman, and its population holds significant conservation value;
- Licorice is valued not only for its medicinal properties but also for its unique flavor.
Licorice is listed as an «uncertain» species in the Red Book of Ukraine, indicating that there is insufficient data for a precise assessment, but it requires protection. Moreover, plant groupings dominated by licorice are included in the Green Book of Ukraine, which focuses on preserving valuable natural ecosystems.
Within the park, licorice grows on the slopes and banks of the liman. Its flowers actively attract various insects, including butterflies. In the wild, this plant is rarely found - mainly in the steppes of southern Ukraine and along the coasts of the Black and Azov seas.
Experts emphasize that many natural areas where licorice previously thrived have been damaged due to military actions. Therefore, the population within the Kulyalnytskyi National Nature Park is crucial for biodiversity conservation.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza) is known for its medicinal properties and sweet taste. Its roots yield glycyrrhizin - a substance that is 50 times sweeter than sugar, widely used in pharmaceuticals and the food industry.
