angelicas

Angelica

Angelicas are tall, leafy plants that grow in damp places. They have pretty white flowers that attract butterflies and bees, making them a favorite in gardens.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The angelicas has tall, hollow, ridged stems, often purplish near the base. It features large, deeply divided leaves and distinctive umbrella-like clusters of tiny greenish-white to pale yellow flowers that form a striking dome.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassEquisetopsidaOrderApialesFamilyApiaceaeGenusAngelica

angelicas

Interesting facts

Believe it or not, angelica is a cousin to carrots, parsley, and even dill!

Its candied stems were once a very popular sweet treat, especially in Europe!

People used to believe angelica could protect against evil spirits and bad luck.

The roots of angelica can be used to flavor some special liqueurs and spirits.

Special abilities

Angelicas can grow very tall and quickly to reach sunlight, giving them an advantage over smaller plants.

Angelicas has strongly scented leaves and stems that can help deter some animals from munching on them.

Angelicas produces large, flat-topped flower clusters to attract many different kinds of insect pollinators at once.

Measurements & details

Height: 100-250 cm
Spread: 60-120 cm
Flower Size: 0.2-0.5 cm
Bloom Season: Summer
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Biennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen from its flowers.

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Visits its abundant flower heads for nectar.

depends on

Old World Swallowtail

Papilio machaon

Adult butterflies feed on its rich nectar.

eaten by

Roe deer

Capreolus capreolus

May browse on its young, tender shoots.

Traits

Aromatic

Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Biennial

Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.