Angelica atropurpurea is a perennial plant that grows to 6 ft (180 cm) tall.[4] The erect, branchingstem is purple, smooth, hollow, and sturdy. The compound leaves are bipinnate, with 3 to 5 leaflets per leaf. The total width of a lower leaf may be up to 2 ft (61 cm), and the leaflets are 0.75–4.5 in (1.9–11.4 cm) long and 0.5–2.5 in (1.3–6.4 cm) across. They are generally ovate with serrated margins, and some are cleft into either shallow or deep lobes.
The plant has white to greenish flowers in umbrella-like umbels. One umbel may have as many as 40 branches and be up to 8 in (20 cm) across. Each flower has 5 petals and measures up to 0.25 in (0.64 cm).[5]
The stalks can be eaten like celery and the flavor is similar. Early American settlers boiled parts of the plant to make into candy and added it to cakes. In Europe, it was believed that the plant could cure alcoholism.[8]
The aromatic root of angelica has widespread use as a purification herb among the Native American cultures. In California, it is often burned during a shaman's prayers in a healing ceremony.[9] It has traditionally been held in high esteem by native peoples in Arkansas, who have often carried it in their medicine bags and mixed it with tobacco for smoking.[10] In the Mvskoke Creek tribes of Alabama, Oklahoma, and Northwest Florida, Angelica atropurpurea (known as notossv in the Creek language) has both medicinal and ceremonial uses.[11] Medicinally, notossv is used by the Creeks to: cure back pain in adults; to calm panic attacks or people that are in hysterics; as a vermifuge in children; as well as treating stomach disorders.[11] Mvskoke Creek Ceremonial uses include preventing heat stroke during the Ribbon Dance in the Green Corn Ceremony, aiding ceremonial singers, and to help those in legal trouble.[11]
Gallery
Purple-stemmed Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea) found near Winona, MN, USA. The plant is seen here where it was growing near a creek on 27 May 2023
Cross section cut through the stem of Angelica atropurpurea showing how it is hollow inside.
The green stem has a vibrant wine-purple sheath around the stem where it branches. 27 May 2023
Purple-stemmed Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea). This individual is ~4 ft tall. 27 May 2023
Purple-stemmed Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea) in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada 4 March 2018 showing the plant in its early stages of growth back from the base of a previous year's stem
Purple-stemmed Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea) in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada 4 March 2018 showing its first leaves
Angelica atropurpurea, Purple-stemmed angelica - Berlin Fen - Wisconsin State Natural Area #207 Green Lake County 8 July 2012
Purple-stemmed Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea) in London, Ontario, Canada 9 July 2015
Foliage of Angelica atropurpurea documented for the Bibliothèque de l'Université Laval in Quebec, Canada
Root area of Angelica atropurpurea documented for the Bibliothèque de l'Université Laval in Quebec, Canada
Angelica atropurpurea L. (purplestem angelica) leaf with minor damage, photographed in 1995, Source: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database
Flower head in bud of Angelica atropurpurea documented for the Bibliothèque de l'Université Laval in Quebec, Canada
Sheath around the stem with a flower head in seed documented for the Bibliothèque de l'Université Laval in Quebec, Canada
Young Angelica atropurpurea plant in Guelph, Ontario, Canada 21 April 2020
Young Angelica atropurpurea plant in Guelph, Ontario, Canada 8 April 2020
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