Garden angelica (Angelica archangelica, Sp. Pl.: 250 (1753))

Family: Apiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 250 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Angelica

Vegetable: False

Observations: Greenland, Europe to W. Siberia

Description

Garden angelica, scientifically known as Angelica archangelica, is a majestic biennial plant belonging to the family Apiaceae. This impressive botanical gem has garnered admiration not only for its towering presence in gardens but also for its historic and cultural significance.

Native to a broad range extending from Greenland through Europe to Western Siberia, garden angelica thrives in cool, damp environments. Its robust adaptability allows it to flourish in a variety of habitats, making it a resilient addition to any botanical collection.

The plant typically grows to an impressive height of 1.5 to 2.5 meters, with sizable, greenish-white umbels of flowers that create an eye-catching display in late summer. Each part of Angelica archangelica is imbued with a distinct aromatic quality, from its thick, hollow stems to its deeply divided leaves and clusters of flowers.

Historical references reveal that garden angelica has been revered for its medicinal and culinary uses. Traditionally, it has been employed in herbal medicine to treat an array of ailments, including digestive disorders and respiratory issues. Its roots and seeds have been particularly noted for their purported therapeutic properties.

Culinary enthusiasts have also found a place for garden angelica, especially its stems and roots, in a variety of recipes. The stems are often candied and used in baking and confectionery, adding a unique flavor profile reminiscent of juniper and anise. The plant’s aromatic seeds serve as a staple seasoning in certain liqueurs and spirits, most notably gin and chartreuse.

Gardeners appreciate Angelica archangelica not only for its practical uses but also for its aesthetic appeal. It adds structural interest to gardens and complements other flora with its bold form and delicate blooms. Whether cultivated for its historical uses or simply enjoyed for its ornamental presence, garden angelica remains a versatile and cherished plant species in both cultivated and wild landscapes.

Common Names

Deu: angelika, arznei-engelwurz, brustwurz, echte engelwurz, engelwurz
Fra: angélique vraie, archangélique, angélique aromatique, angélique des confiseurs, angélique officinale, herbe du saint-esprit
Eng: garden angelica, norwegian angelica, angelica, angelique, wild parsnip
Dan: kvan, strand-kvan
Por: angelica
Spa: angélica, hierba del epiritu santo
Swe: fjällkvanne, väinönputki, kvanne, angelika
Nld: grote engelwortel
Nob: kvann
Nno: kvann
Hun: orvosi angyalgyökér
Fin: väinönputki
Cym: llys yr angel peraroglaidd, llysiau’r-angel pêr, talfedel
En: Garden angelica, Angelica, Angelique, Wild parsnip, Norwegian angelica, Poorrâmrääʹss, Puurrâmrääsi
Af: Engelkruid
Ar: انجليكا أرخانجيلكا
Az: Dərman cəbrayılotu
Eu: Aingeru-belar landatu
Be: Дзягіль лекавы
Bg: Лечебна пищялка
Ca: Herba de l’Esperit Sant, Angèlica
Zh: 欧白芷
Hr: Anđelika
Cs: Andělika lékařská
Da: Fjeld-kvan, Kvan, Strand-kvan
Nl: Grote engelwortel, Aarstengelwortel
Eo: Ĝardenangeliko
Et: Harilik kikkaputk
Fo: Hvonn (planta)
Fi: Väinönputki
Fr: Angélique vraie, Archangélique, Archangélque, Romarin, Angélique aromatique, Angélique des confiseurs, Angélique officinale, Herbe du Saint-Esprit, Herbe aux anges
Gl: Anxélica
De: Angelika, Engelwurz, Brustwurz, Echte Engelwurz, Arznei-Engelwurz, Garten-Engelwurz, Heiliggeistwurz
El: Αγγελική αρχαγγελική
Hi: एंजेलिका आर्चएंजेलिका
Hu: Orvosi angyalgyökér
Is: Ætihvönn
It: Angelica arcangelica, Angelica di Boemia
Kl: Kuanneq
Kk: Аю балдырған
Lt: Vaistinė šventagaršvė
Lb: Leinskraut
Mk: Благ боз
Se: Olbmoborranrássi
No: Kvann
Nb: Kvann
Nn: Kvann
Fa: سنبل خطایی
Pl: Arcydziegiel litwor, Ziela Ducha Swietego, Dzięgiel litwor
Pt: Angelica
Ro: Angelică
Ru: Dâgil’ aptečnyj, Дягиль лекарственный
Sr: Анђелика
Sk: Archangelika lekárska
Es: Angélica, Hierba del Epiritu Santo, Gallego, Zdravilni gozdni koren, Angélica de jardin
Sv: Fjällkvanne, Kvanne, Väinönputki, Angelika
Zh-hant: 歐白芷
Uk: Дягель лікарський
Cy: Llysiau`r-angel pêr, Llys yr Angel Peraroglaidd, Llysiau’r-Angel Pêr, Talfedel

Synonyms

• Archangelica archangelica ((L.) H.Karst.)
• Archangelica officinalis (Hoffm.)
• Selinum archangelica ((L.) Vest)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Flower

Taken Jul 28, 2020 by Sergei Yermolin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by Michał Maciążek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2021 by Nick Ogden (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2020 by Hayley Rigby (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Lieneke Dijkstra (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Pat SABI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2021 by Nick Ogden (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2022 by Dan d’Auge (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2021 by fumus ubi (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Decker Dan (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2022 by lorente sergi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2022 by M G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2022 by Dan d’Auge (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2021 by Dennis Diels (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2022 by M G (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2021 by Alexander Lauber (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Annika K (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2021 by AWM gaming (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Christine de Leuze (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 1990 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Mar 10, 2021 by Peter Vohwinkel (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5371808)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:837560-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Angelica archangelica L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 7

Soil salinity: 1