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Angelica archangelica

Previously known as:

  • Archangelica officinalis
Phonetic Spelling
an-JEL-ih-kah ark-an-JEL-ih-kah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Garden Angelica is a robust biennial or short-lived perennial, herb from the carrot family.  It has a strong musky odor and a warm aromatic sweet taste that has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes for hundreds of years.  It was once believed an archangel revealed the medicinal qualities of this plant to mankind hence the species name archangelica.

It somewhat resembles a wild carrot with a long, spindle-shaped, thick, and fleshy purple colored root.  Roots, leaves, seeds, and young stems have a flavor similar to licorice.  Garden Angelica thrives in a moderately cool climate in part shade or the full sun of more northern climates and loves to grow near running water.  The plant requires consistently moist soil; do not let it dry out between watering. 

Garden Angelica produces foliage in the first year and flowers in the second year then the plant dies after the seed ripens.  Propagation can be done by seed or root cuttings in the second year.

This plant has a similar appearance to some toxic plants such as Conium maculatum so verify identity before ingesting.  It may cause sensitivity to sunlight and contact dermatitis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#rain garden#biennial#white flowers#purple leaves#green flowers#bright green#yellow flowers#shade garden#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#edible garden#wet soils tolerant#loamy soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#rain garden#biennial#white flowers#purple leaves#green flowers#bright green#yellow flowers#shade garden#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#edible garden#wet soils tolerant#loamy soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Angelica
    Species:
    archangelica
    Family:
    Apiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Garden Angelica was believed to have medicinal and magical properties that counteract poisons and ward off evil. As a medicinal plant, it was considered to have 'angelic' healing powers for protection against contagions, purifying blood, and treatment of digestive disorders. Candied stalks are used for decoration on puddings and cakes. Essential oils may be used in perfumes, soaps, salves, and oils.
    Life Cycle:
    Biennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Greenland, Iceland, Europe and Western Siberia, Himalayas
    Distribution:
    Widely cultivated and naturalized in northern temperate regions
    Edibility:
    Roots, leaves, seeds, and young stems have a flavor similar to licorice. Seeds and distilled oils are widely used to flavor liqueurs and occasionally foods. Leaves may be used in salads, young stalks may be peeled and used like celery or candied, leaves and roots can be used for making tea.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Pale yellow, straw-colored oblong fruit with prominent ridges and pleasing fragrance.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The small yellowish-white sometimes pinkish flowers make up semicircular, apical double umbels around 6" in diameter. They bloom in the summer and then produce oblong fruits with a pleasant scent.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The chartreuse lower leaves grow to 2-3 foot long which are divided into 2 or 3 finely toothed or serrated leaflets 3 inches in length. They clasp the base of the plant with somewhat purplish bases.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stout fluted bright green stems are hollow are sometimes tinged with purple and can reach as high as 7 feet tall.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Photosensitivity (sunburn, dermatitis)
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Furocoumarins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Stems