Angelica arguta
Angelica, Angelica
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Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Angelica arguta (Angelica) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by glabrous habit vs hairy relatives.
Angelica is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and high Cascade Range Highlands in conifer forest at elevations of 60 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white flowers in umbels with 20 to 60 rays spreading up to 10 centimeters long. Growing up to 2 meters tall with a generally glabrous stem, it develops an impressive, broadly spreading form. Its large leaves are complex and dramatic, measuring up to 1 meter in diameter, with 2 to 3 levels of compound pinnate structure featuring 6 to 9 centimeter leaflets that are lanceolate to elliptic with sharply serrated edges. The fruit is an oblong to ovate structure 8 to 9 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; distinguished by glabrous habit vs hairy relatives
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Conifer forest
Elevation: 60-2300 m
California counties: Tehama, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Shasta, Trinity, Humboldt, Mendocino
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana, Utah
Bloom period
Angelica arguta blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Heracleum: Angelica has uniform petals across the flower cluster; Heracleum has dramatically enlarged outer petals.; vs Oenanthe: Angelica has coarse leaf segments; Oenanthe has finely divided, almost feathery leaflets.; vs Cicuta: Angelica has a smooth stem base; Cicuta stem base has chambered cross-sections visible when cut.; vs Sambucus: Angelica has umbrella-shaped flower clusters and divided leaves; Sambucus has flat-topped clusters and opposite leaves.; vs Ligusticum: Angelica has a smooth stem base; Ligusticum stem base is wrapped in fibrous leaf remains.
Frequently asked questions
Is Angelica arguta native to California?
Yes. Angelica arguta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Angelica arguta bloom?
Angelica arguta blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Angelica arguta grow?
Angelica arguta occurs in Tehama, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Shasta, Trinity, Humboldt, Mendocino, at elevations of 60-2300 m.
What plant family does Angelica arguta belong to?
Angelica arguta is in the Apiaceae family, genus Angelica.
What habitat does Angelica arguta grow in?
Angelica arguta grows in Uncommon. Conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.