Wild Angelica,Woodland angelica

Angelica sylvestris

Physical Characteristics

Angelica sylvestris is a BIENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Most of Europe, including Britain, to W. Asia and Siberia.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedgerow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Condiment Leaves, young shoots and stems - used as an aromatic addition to salads[7], or cooked and used as a vegetable[2, 5, 8, 13, 183]. The taste is somewhat bitter[5]. The chopped leaves are a good addition to cooked acid fruits, especially rhubarb[183]. The stem and leafstalks are used in candies and sweetmeats[2, 46, 105, 183]. Seed - used as an aromatic flavouring in confections and pastries[2, 7]. Root - cooked[2].

Medicinal Uses

Antispasmodic Carminative Diaphoretic Diuretic Expectorant Parasiticide Stimulant Stomachic Tonic The root and the seeds are antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic, and tonic[7, 13, 21, 147, 218]. This plant is less rich in active principles than A. archangelica and so is much less used medicinally than that species[9, 244], but a decoction is sometimes used in the treatment of bronchial catarrh, coughs and dyspepsia[9]. Large doses have the effect of depressing the central nervous system[7].

Known Hazards

All members of this genus contain furocoumarins, which increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and may cause dermatitis[238].