Family: Apiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 251 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Angelica
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to Siberia and Mongolia
Description
Wild angelica, scientifically recognized as Angelica sylvestris, is a notable perennial herb that graces various landscapes from Europe stretching to the expanses of Siberia and Mongolia. This plant joins the distinguished ranks of the Apiaceae family, a lineage known for encompassing several aromatic and medicinally significant species.
Characterized by its tall stature, wild angelica typically reaches heights between 1 to 2 meters. The plant exhibits a robust, hollow stem that is often tinged with purple. This gives rise to its large, divided leaves that have a semblance of delicacy yet contribute to the plant’s sturdy presence. Each leaf is finely serrated and marked by its intricate, feathery pattern, a hallmark of many in the Apiaceae family.
The flowering structure of Angelica sylvestris is perhaps its most captivating feature. During the blooming season, which generally spans from July to September, the plant produces an array of small, white or pinkish flowers. These blossoms are arranged in large, spherical umbels—a defining characteristic that not only enhances its ornamental appeal but also plays a significant role in pollinator attraction. Bees, butterflies, and other insects are frequently seen hovering around these clusters, underscoring wild angelica’s ecological importance in supporting biodiversity.
Beyond its visual and ecological allure, wild angelica has held a place in traditional practices and herbal medicine. Historical texts and anecdotal evidence suggest that various parts of the plant, including its roots and leaves, have been utilized for their purported health benefits. These uses range from digestive aids to remedies for respiratory conditions, showcasing the plant’s versatility. However, it is crucial to approach such applications with caution and consult with knowledgeable practitioners, as wild angelica shares its habitat with several potentially toxic relatives.
The adaptability of wild angelica to diverse environments, from moist meadows to forest clearings, demonstrates its resilient nature. This adaptability enables it to thrive across a broad geographic range, contributing to its widespread presence from Western Europe to the far reaches of Mongolia. Its historical notation in the literature, specifically documented in Species Plantarum by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, further cements its significance within botanical studies.
In contemporary horticulture and conservation, Angelica sylvestris continues to be valued not only for its beauty and utility but also as a symbol of the intricate interplay between native flora and their ecosystems. Whether encountered in the wild or cultivated in gardens, wild angelica stands as a testament to nature’s enduring splendor and functionality.
Common Names
Dan: almindelig angelik, angelik, skov-angelik
Deu: wald-engelwurz, waldengelwurz
Fra: angélique des bois, angélique sauvage
Nld: gewone engelwortel
Swe: karhunputki, strätta, skogspipa
Fin: karhunputki
Nob: sløke
Nno: sløkje
Eng: wild angelica, woodland angelica
Sme: stáloboska, áhččanboska
Cym: angyles y coed, llys yr angel, llys yr angel y goedwig, llysiau’r angel, llysiau’r angel y goedwig
En: Wild angelica, Woodland angelica, Garden Angelica, Trumpet Keck, Wood Angelica
Az: Meşə tütəkotu
Eu: Mendiko aingeru-belar
Be: Дуднік лясны
Bg: Горска пищялка
Ca: Angèlica borda, Herba angèlica, Tornassa
Zh: 林当归
Kw: Losow eledh
Hr: Šumska anđelika
Cs: Děhel lesní
Da: Almindelig Angelik, Angelik, Skov-angelik
Nl: Gewone engelwortel
Et: Harilik heinputk
Fi: Karhunputki, Niittykarhunputki
Fr: Angélique sauvage, Angélique des bois, Angélique des prés, Angélique sylvestre, Faux Panais, Herbe à la fièvre, Impératoire sauvage, Panais sauvage
Gl: Anxélica brava
Ka: Ტყის ანგელოზა
De: Waldengelwurz, Wilde Engelwurz, Wald-Engelwurz, Angelika, Wald-Brustwurz, Wilde-Brustwurz
Hu: Erdei angyalgyökér
Is: Geithvönn
Ga: Gallfheabhrán
It: Angelica selvatica
Lt: Miškinis skudutis
Se: Stáloboska, Áhččanboska
No: Sløkje, Sløke
Nb: Sløke
Nn: Sløkje
Oc: Angelica fòla
Os: Хъæндæлы
Fa: سنبل ختایی وحشی
Pl: Dzięgiel leśny
Ru: Дудник лесной
Sr: Дивља анђелика
Sk: Angelika lesná
Es: Angélica del bosque, Sebuda, Angélica silvestre
Sv: Strätta, Karhunputki, Skogspipa
Cy: Llysiau`r angel, Angyles y Coed, Llys yr Angel, Llys yr Angel y Goedwig, Llysiau’r Angel, Llysiau’r Angel y Goedwig
Synonyms
- Selinum sylvestre ((L.) Crantz)
- Angelica sylvestris var. major (Hartm.)
- Angelica sylvestris var. montana ((Brot.) Samp.)
- Angelica sylvestris var. villosa ((Lag.) Merino)
- Angelica sylvestris f. villosa ((Lag.) Cout.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Altay (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- New Brunswick (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Aug 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2009 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2009 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2017 by Heinz Gass (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2013 by Reinhard Bachmann (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Feb 4, 2022 by Marta Cirillo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2021 by Marek Hrdina (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 20, 2019 by andaine hl (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 21, 2020 by beurny (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 2022 by John Sycorax (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 31, 2019 by Petra Fischer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 11, 2022 by Arthur Giguelay (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 11, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Alice HEIT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2021 by Marek Hrdina (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 31, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 26, 2022 by zigzag_2 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 26, 2022 by zigzag_2 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2021 by Marek Hrdina (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 21, 2020 by beurny (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 1, 2021 by JB (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 26, 2022 by zigzag_2 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:837777-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5371818)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Angelica sylvestris L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 5
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Soil nutriments: 5