The WALA Plant Library
Angelica

Synonyms for Angelica: Garden angelica, Archangelica officinalis, Root of the Holy Ghost, archangel, wild parsnip
Scientific Name: Angelica archangelica L.
Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

Description:

Angelica is striking for its height: this biennial or occasionally triennial herbaceous plant sometimes reaches an imposing two metres in its second year. Related to carrot, celery, lovage and caraway, angelica has a hollow, distinctly striate or furrowed stem which takes on a purple hue at the top. The flowers and two- to three-pinnate leaves grow from dilated clasping bases. The leaves are bluish-green on the lower surface. The globular umbels are made up of numerous small blossoms and open in July and August of the second year. The individual blossoms appear greenish-white due to the ring of small white petals that frame the green pistil – the female organ of the flower. The male anthers rise from the blossom like antennae. The whole plant is extremely aromatic.
Angelica loves river banks and damp meadows and is found widely in mountainous regions.