wild angelica

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• woodland angelica
• Wild Angelica

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Apiales and the family Apiaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Angelica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated across the northern reaches of the European continent. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland regions of Denmark and Finland. Furthermore, its presence extends to the remote islands of Iceland and the Faroe Islands. The species is also well-established within the varied landscapes of Great Britain. Overall, these locations highlight its preference for Northern European environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Angelica sylvestris is characterized by its preference for moist, nutrient-rich environments where it thrives in diverse landscape settings. It is primarily found within forest ecosystems, frequently colonizing forest edges where it can access filtered sunlight. This species is also well-adapted to meadow habitats, specifically those that maintain high moisture levels, such as wet meadows and swampy areas. Its ability to inhabit these hydric and semi-hydric zones indicates a reliance on consistently damp soils and high humidity within its native range.

Habitat :

forest, forest edges, meadows: wet, swamps

Life history

The life history of Angelica sylvestris is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, it maintains its perennuating buds at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic debris during unfavorable conditions. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it transitions through its seasonal cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Angelica sylvestris is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a liana or vine, nor does it exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behaviors, maintaining an independent and terrestrial lifestyle. The plant's stature varies in height, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.783 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

0.783 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Angelica sylvestris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for plants inhabiting temperate environments that rely on the enzyme Rubisco for carbon fixation. The species is strictly non-carnivorous, obtaining its nutritional requirements through traditional root-based absorption of minerals and organic matter from the soil. Morphologically, the plant exhibits significant leaf surface area, with a mean leaf size of approximately 409.02 cm², which facilitates efficient light interception for photosynthesis. This leaf structure is further quantified by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 269.32 cm²/g, reflecting a physiological balance between leaf thickness and surface area optimized for its specific ecological niche.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

409.02 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

269.32 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Angelica sylvestris is characterized by a monocarp life cycle, meaning the plant typically flowers once before completing its life cycle. Its flowering period is concentrated in the summer months, beginning in July and concluding in August. The plant utilizes biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects, with bees being a primary pollinator. While it is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive strategy is heavily reliant on these biological vectors. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a minimum mass of 0.00115 g, a mean mass of 0.002702 g, and a maximum mass of 0.00757 g. Following maturation, the seeds are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing wind for distribution. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual reproduction through seed production the primary method for propagation.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Monocarpy :

monocarp

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00757 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002702 g

Seed mass min:

0.00115 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Angelica sylvestris has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf.

Flower

1. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry

Leaf

1. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry

Activities

Angelica sylvestris has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant.

Diaphoretic

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Diuretic

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Expectorant

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Medicinal Uses

Angelica sylvestris has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations