Liquorice root is actually the root of the liquorice plant and resembles a twig. The roots are then made ground into powder
Liquorice (British English) or licorice (American English) is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra from which a sweet flavour can be extracted.
The liquorice plant is an herbaceous perennial legume native to southern Europe and parts of Asia, such as Iran.
It is not botanically related to anise, star anise, or fennel, which are sources of similar flavouring compounds.
Liquorice extracts have a number of medical uses. It is also used in tobacco blends and also as a flavour in candies or sweeteners.
Liquorice is one of the most widely used medicinal plants, both in Western and Eastern herbal medicine and has at least 3000 years of history as a medicinal plant.