| DESCRIPTION: It is very coarse, tall herbaceous plant, usually up to 2.5-3 m high. The stout, round stems are purplish, aromatic, and hollow. Basal leaves are pinnately more than once divided, and upper leaves are progressively reduced with broadly sheathing leaf stalks and serrate, pointed leaflets. The inflorescence is a large (10-20 cm wide), spherical compound umbel with 20-45 rays. Flowers are white or greenish-white and in bloom around the first week in June. Thin, flat lateral wings occur on the hairless fruit, which fall by mid-summer. USE: Besides its use as a flavouring in confections and liqueurs, it has been recommended as an antiflatulant, a diuretic, a diaphoretic (sweat producer), and a counterirritant. There is no proof that it is particularly effective in any of these applications. Cases of toxicity have been reported when large amounts have been taken to try to induce abortion. Studies have shown that various compounds contained in the volatile oil are acutely toxic and mutagenic in laboratory animals. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: Great angelica. FURTHER INF: It is common in sedge meadows and calcareous fens, particularly if supported by groundwater springs and seepages. It also may be present in forested wetlands, and along streambanks and shores. |
