Licorice is a feathery-leafed legume, Glycyrrhiza glabra, (same family as a pea) and is well known for the extract made from the root of the plant. The extract is used to make licorice flavored candy (very popular in Europe) and is the flavor used to make root beer. In China the plant still has many medicinal uses.
You can purchase licorice roots in many health food stores.