Angelica atropurpurea L.

Stout, to 2 m, glabrous or nearly so to the infl; lower lvs 1–3 dm, long-petiolate, the upper progressively reduced, with broad, sheathing petioles; lfls ovate to lanceolate, 4–10 cm, acute, sharply serrate, thinly margined and only rarely ciliate, glabrous or minutely hairy beneath; umbels 1–2 dm wide, with 20–45 thinly hairy rays; fr oblong-elliptic, 4–6.5 mm, rounded at base, glabrous, the lateral wings thin, flat, broad; oil-tubes numerous; seed loose in the pericarp; 2n=22. Swamps and wet woods; Lab. to Minn., s. to Del., W.Va., and Ind. June–Aug.

Rich thickets, bottomlands and swamps. 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.

CAUTION: The roots are possibly poisonous when fresh. The roots are candied. The stems are leaves are eaten. The tender new stems and leafstalks are peeled and eaten in salads. They are also boiled in water and eaten. The young leaves are added to fish dishes, soups and stews.

It usually self seeds. Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the root.