Angelica anomala -

Family:	Umbelliferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.8
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Siberia

Angelica anomala () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.8m . It has a hardness rating of 0and is vunerable to frost.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Angelica anomala will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Angelica anomala prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Angelica anomala can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Damp habitats in C. and N. Japan[58, 200].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know how hardy it will be in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a deep moist fertile soil in dappled shade or full sun[200]. Plants are reliably perennial if they are prevented from setting seed[200]. There is some confusion over the correct author of the Latin name for this species. We have used Lallem. as is found in [58] and [176], but [147] and [218] cite Pallas as the author.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The root is analgesic, antibacterial, antidote, carminative, depuritive, diaphoretic, poultice and is also used to treat women's complaints[147, 176, 178, 218]. The drug (an extract of the root?) lowers arterial pressure, increases diuresis and stimulates contraction of the smooth muscles, especially the uterus, but without causing abortion[218]. The plant is used in the treatment of colds and headaches, coryza, leucorrhoea, boils and abscesses[147]. Small quantities of angelicotoxin, one of the active ingredients in the root, have an excitatory effect on the respiratory centre, central nervous system and vasculomotor centre. It increases the rate of respiration, increases blood pressure, decreases the pulse, increases the secretion of saliva and induces vomiting[176]. In large doses it can cause convulsions and generalized paralysis[176].

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Antidote - Counters poisoning.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Depurative - Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Women's complaints - A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe since the seed only has a short viability[200]. Seed can also be sown in the spring, though germination rates will be lower. It requires light for germination[200]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in the spring. The seed can also be sow in situ as soon as it is ripe.

Known Hazards

One report says that caution is advised in the use of this plant but it gives no reason[176]. All members of this genus contain furocoumarins, which increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and may cause dermatitis[238].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

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