Angelica

Angelica is a genus of about 90 species of tall biennial and perennial herbs in the family Apiaceae, native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far north as Iceland, Sápmi, and Greenland. They grow to 1–3 m (3 ft 3 in – 9 ft 10 in) tall, with large bipinnate leaves and large compound umbels of white or greenish-white flowers. It shows variations in fruit anatomy, leaf morphology, and subterranean structures. The genes are extremely polymorphic. Some species can be found in purple moor and rush pastures. Characteristics Angelica species grow to 1–3 m (3 ft 3 in – 9 ft 10 in) tall, with large bipinnate leaves and large compound umbels of white or greenish-white flowers. Their large, sparkling, starburst flowers are pollinated by a great variety of insects (the generalist pollination syndrome), the floral scents are species-specific, and even specific to particular subspecies. The active ingredients of angelica are found in the roots and rhizomes and contains furocoumarins in its tissues, which make the skin sensitive to light. Cladistic classification Molecular phylogenetic analyses have identified four major clades: Archangelica clade which includes the type species Angelica archangelica and North American species such as A. atropurpurea. Eurasian Angelica clade containing primarily Eurasian species and the Pacific Coast species A. genuflexa. North American Angelica clade comprising approximately twenty species native to North America, including A. arguta and A. californica. North American species traditionally assigned to Angelica do not form a single evolutionary lineage, are polyphyletic and require taxonomic revision. PENA clade acronym for the genera Perideridia, Eulophus, Neoparrya, and Angelica, and represented by A. dawsonii, which was found to be more closely related to other genera within the Apiaceae. Species List of species accepted by Plants of the World Online as of September 2025: Cultivation and uses Some species are grown as flavouring agents or for their medicinal properties. The most notable of these is garden angelica (A. archangelica), which is commonly known simply as angelica. Crystallized strips of young angelica stems and midribs are green in colour and are sold as decorative and flavoursome cake decoration material, but may also be enjoyed on their own. The roots and seeds are commonly used to flavour gin. Its presence accounts for the distinct flavour of many liqueurs, such as Chartreuse. Angelica roots are used in perfumery as a plant analogue of musk. Seacoast angelica (A. lucida) has been eaten as a wild version of celery. A. sylvestris and some other species are eaten by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including bordered pug, grey pug, lime-speck pug and the V-pug. Asia The radix of Angelica dahurica is widely used as an herbal remedy in traditional Chinese medicine and is known as bai zhi. In Korean medicine, its name is baek-ji. In parts of Japan, especially the Izu Islands, the shoots and leaves of ashitaba (A. keiskei) are eaten as tempura, particularly in the spring. Europe Natives of Sápmi use the fleshy roots as food and the stalks as medicine. Among the Sami people of Lapland, the plant is used to make a traditional musical instrument the fadno. North America A. dawsonii was used by several first nations in North America for ritual purposes. A. atropurpurea is found in North America from Newfoundland west to Wisconsin and south to Maryland, and was smoked by Missouri tribes for colds and respiratory ailments. This species is very similar in appearance to the poisonous water hemlock. A. lucida root was regarded as preventive medicine by the Aleut of St. Lawrence Island, whom consumed small pieces of the root daily to treat illness and malaise. Notes References External links "History of Angelica". Our Herb Garden. March 2013. "Plants Profile Angelica L." Plants Database. USDA - NRCS. "How to Take Care of Ashitaba Plant (Longevity Herb) Angelica". Rochkirstin Santos. 23 November 2012. "Angelica" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 2 (9th ed.). 1878. p. 28. "Angelica" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 2 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 6. Traditional and Modern Use of Wild Angelica