Angelica californica
California angelica
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Angelica californica (California angelica) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by dry habitat and 1-ternate-pinnate leaves.
California angelica is a native perennial found in northern California regions including the North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada Foothills, and San Francisco Bay Area in dry slopes at elevations of 15 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers in large, complex umbels with 15 to 50 unequal rays. Growing 1 to 2.5 meters tall with a glabrous to sparsely hairy stem, it develops an impressive, robust structure in dry habitats. Its large compound leaves are triangular-ovate and intricately divided, featuring 1-ternate-pinnate arrangement with 4 to 8 centimeter leaflets that are lanceolate to oblong with sharply serrated edges. The fruit is an oblong to ovate structure approximately 6 to 7 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; distinguished by dry habitat and 1-ternate-pinnate leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes
Elevation: 15-1500 m
Bloom period
Angelica californica blooms Jun-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 californica native to California?
Yes. Angelica californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Angelica californica bloom?
Angelica californica blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Angelica californica belong to?
Angelica californica is in the Apiaceae family, genus Angelica.
What habitat does Angelica californica grow in?
Angelica californica grows in dry slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.