With impressive stature, leaves that can reach two feet wide and large umbrella-like, white to greenish flower structure, this species has an imposing presence. It's not surprising that it has a long history of reputed medicinal and magical properties. Stately sentinels along sunny or shaded stream beds, Angelica plants reach heights of six or more feet with hollow, smooth, sturdy purple stems (thus the name Angleica atropurpurea). These stems are one to two inches round.

Angelica is calcareous and therefore needs an alkaline soil with a pH of 7 to 8.

* The stalks can be eaten like celery and the flavor is similar. Early America settlers boiled parts of the plant to make into candy and they also used it as an ingredient in cake. In Europe it was believed that the plant could cure alcoholism.

(*Please do not use this native plant for medicine or food.  The medicinal and edible plant information here is NOT intended to be a self-healing or medicinal guide; it is included for entertainment purposes only.)