Angelica decursiva -

Family:	Umbelliferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Synonyms:	Peucedanum decursivum. (Miq.)Maxim.
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Angelica decursiva () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m . 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 decursiva 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 decursiva prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

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

Grassy places in woods in lowland and hills, C. and S. Japan[58]. Damp soils in China[178].

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].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Leaves and shoots - cooked[105, 179]. A fragrant aroma[178].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
Antiseptic, antiarthritic, antispasmodic, carminative, lenitive, stimulant, stomachic, tonic[178]. The root is analgesic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antitussive, expectorant and stimulant[176, 218]. It is used in the treatment of coughs with thick phlegm, asthma and upper respiratory tract infections[176].

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Antiarthritic - Treats arthritis.
• Antiseptic - Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
• Lenitive - Soothing, palliative.
• Stimulant - Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.
• 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

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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