Angelica atropurpurea - Purplestem Angelica

Family:	Umbelliferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	3
Synonyms:	Archangelica atropurpurea. (L.)Hoffm.
Range:	Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Delaware, Illinois and Iowa.

Angelica atropurpurea (Purplestem Angelica) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 3m . It has a hardness rating of 4and is vunerable to frost.
Purplestem Angelica will flower in January to February. the seeds ripen from February to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Purplestem Angelica 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
Purplestem Angelica prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

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

Rich thickets, bottomlands and swamps[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

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

Cultivation Details

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].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 4/5
Young shoots and leaf stalks - raw or cooked[55, 105, 177]. When boiled in two lots of water they form a vegetable that strongly resembles celery. They can be peeled and eaten in salads or blanched and cooked like asparagus[183]. The stems can also be candied and used as a sweetmeat[2]. Root, leafstalks and stems - candied[177, 183].

• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
A tea made from the leaves is carminative and stomachic[222]. It is also used in the treatment of colds, rheumatism etc[222]. The seed and roots can also be used and have a stronger effect[222]. The plant has similar properties to angelica, A. archangelica, though it is inferior since it is less aromatic[4]. The root is carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, sedative, stomachic and tonic[257]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of fevers, colds, flatulent colic and other stomach disorders, obstructed menses and as a general tonic for women[257]. Externally it has been used as a gargle for sore throats and mouths and as a poultice for broken bones, swellings etc[257]. It has also been used, both internally and externally, as a treatment for rheumatism[257].

• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Emmenagogue - Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

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

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

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

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