Identification: Wanted: Mystery plant identification

Hello, I am brand new to these forums. My Dad suggested this might be a good place to go to get a positive identification on what this plant is. I was concerned because in many ways it fits the description of, and resembles, poison hemlock. A recent death and a serious poisoning case have both happened recently in my State (one in my city) as a result of people unsuspectingly consuming poison hemlock, so it is of some concern to me. I controlled the noxious weed board in my area, and they said it was probably not poison hemlock based on the description I gave them. The stem is not smooth - it is ridged on the larger stems and hairy on the smaller stems. The leaves are fern-like, and the flowers are white. It does not smell musty or foul at all, but smells like licorice when I break off a branch. There are no purple splotches, like poison hemlock, but it's a little purplish at the base of each branch. It is about 2 feet tall. I have not dug it up, to see if it has a tuberous root or not. My first thought is that it might be fennel or anise, but it has different foliage than I've seen described on these plants, and the flowers are white, not yellow like fennel. Anyway, I would love some expert guidance on what this plant could be. If it's a sort of wild fennel or anise, I'd like to keep it (and maybe even cook with it) but if anyone suspects it's a poisonous plant, I'd rather not keep it around.
Thanks in advance! -Jennifer.

 

Try Sweet Cicely - Myrrhis odorata. great ground cover if well contained - it does tend to take over if allowed, round these parts.

I am very wary of Carrot family plants. There are quite a few poisonous ones as you obviously know, as well as many delicious herbs & veggies. So, check my ID, please, before ingesting.

gb.

 

Thank you! Upon looking up pictures and description of Sweet Cicely online, that does indeed seem to be the plant in question. It's in an unused corner of my garden that is very shady, so I don't mind if it takes over that spot, and it is quite pretty. My only concern was that it was not poison hemlock, as I do have 2 young children and 2 cats at home. I will definitely get a positive I.D. on it before I eat any of it, for certain.

 

I am pretty sure it's not a poisonous hemlock. I use the young leaves of our Sweet Cicely in salads (esp potato salad!). Nice mild alternative to Fennel. More like Florence Fennel which is great in stews & soups....I must be hungry, writing this stuff.

gb

 

Thanks for the suggestion, gb. I am really quite excited, reading about the interesting things you can do with this herb in the kitchen (I must be hungry too, lol). I have lived in my place less than one year, so I'm seeing new things pop up everywhere in the garden.

 

Try eating the flowers. They are delicious.