Angelica is a genus of about 90 species of tall
biennial and
perennialherbs in the family
Apiaceae, native to temperate and subarctic regions of the
Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far north as
Iceland,
Lapland, and
Greenland.[2] 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. Found mainly in
China, its main use was
for medicine. It shows variations in fruit anatomy, leaf morphology, and subterranean structures. The genes are extremely polymorphic.
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[3] are pollinated by a great variety of insects (the generalist
pollination syndrome),[4] the floral scents are species-specific, and even specific to particular subspecies.[5] The active ingredients of angelica are found in the roots and rhizomes[6] and contains
furocoumarins in its tissues, which make the skin sensitive to light.[7]
Some species are grown as
flavouring agents or for their
medicinal properties.[11] The most notable of these is
garden angelica (A. archangelica), which is commonly known simply as angelica. Natives of Lapland use the fleshy roots as food and the stalks as medicine. 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.
Among the
Sami people of
Lapland, the plant is used to make a traditional musical instrument the fadno.
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.[medical citation needed] This species is very similar in appearance to the poisonous
water hemlock.
The boiled roots of angelica were applied internally and externally to wounds by the
Aleut people in Alaska to speed healing.[medical citation needed]
^Tollsten, L.; Knudsen, J. T.; Bergström, L. G. (1994). "Floral Scent in Generalistic Angelica (Apiaceae) — An Adaptive Character?". Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 22 (2): 161–169.
doi:
10.1016/0305-1978(94)90006-X.