Angelica triquinata Michaux. Common name: Mountain Angelica, Appalachian Angelica. Phenology: Aug-Sep; Sep-Oct. Habitat: Mesic forests (especially northern hardwoods, spruce-fir, high elevation red oak) at moderate to high elevations, grassy balds, brookbanks. Distribution: PA south to sw. NC, se. TN, and n. GA, a Southern and Central Appalachian endemic.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Other Comments: The nectar is very attractive, but apparently strongly intoxicating, to yellow jackets and hornets; on the grassy balds of Roan Mountain one can see thousands of umbels of Angelica triquinata densely coated by lethargic bees.
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, FNA13, G, K4, MC, Pa, RAB, Tn, Va, W; = Angelica curtisii Buckley — S, S13. Basionym: Angelica triquinata Michx. 1803
Links to other floras: = Angelica triquinata - FNA13
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Heliophily ⓘ: 5
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© Stan Gilliam
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Angelica triquinata, fruit, Mount Hardy Overlook, Pisgah Ridge, Blue Ridge Parkway, Haywood County, North Carolina 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Stan Gilliam | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Coarse, erect perennial found in mesic forests at moderate to high elevations and on grassy balds and brook banks. A southern Appalachian endemic.
Stems: Stems stout, purplish, smooth.
Leaves: Leaves basal and alternate on the stem, with broadly sheathing petioles, 1-2 times pinnately compound, the largest leaflets 3-6 in. long; leaves reduced upward.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in compound terminal umbel up to 6 in. wide and smaller umbels from upper leaf axils, the umbellets slightly dome-shaped; flowers greenish-white, small, lacking sepals and with tiny, incurved petals.
Fruits: Fruit green to reddish-pink, striped, flattened and winged seeds.
Comments: The flowers of this plant are thought to be mildly poisonous, based on observations of bees and wasps appearing to be intoxicated after visiting them.
Height: 2-6 ft.
plant sale text: Filmy angelica is endemic to the Southern and Central Appalachian Mountains. A member of the carrot family (Apiaceae), it has coarsely-toothed leaves and somewhat resembles common golden alexanders (Zizia aurea). The small, greenish-yellow clusters of flowers develop into striped, maroon seeds. The flowers are thought to be mildly poisonous based on observations of bees and wasps appearing to be intoxicated after visiting them. Filmy angelica supports up to 5 species of lepidoptera.
bloom table text:
description: Coarse, erect perennial found in mesic forests at moderate to high elevations and on grassy balds and brook banks. A southern Appalachian endemic.
stems: Stems stout, purplish, smooth.
leaves: Leaves basal and alternate on the stem, with broadly sheathing petioles, 1-2 times pinnately compound, the largest leaflets 3-6 in. long; leaves reduced upward.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in compound terminal umbel up to 6 in. wide and smaller umbels from upper leaf axils, the umbellets slightly dome-shaped; flowers greenish-white, small, lacking sepals and with tiny, incurved petals.
fruits: Fruit green to reddish-pink, striped, flattened and winged seeds.
comments: The flowers of this plant are thought to be mildly poisonous, based on observations of bees and wasps appearing to be intoxicated after visiting them.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: Eastern United States
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