Ground Ash Angelica archangelica
Other Common Name(s):
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
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
