Angelica hendersonii
Coast angelica
(c) Jared Lincenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Angelica hendersonii (Coast angelica) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by A. lucida by tomentose habit and sprawling form.
Coast angelica is a California native perennial found in the northern and central coastal bioregions on coastal bluffs and scrub at elevations below 150 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white flowers in complex umbrella-like clusters with 20 to 65 ray branches. Growing 80 to 200 centimeters tall with a generally sprawling habit and softly hairy stems, it develops large triangular-ovate leaves divided into multiple layers of leaflets. Its leaves are intricately structured with 5 to 10 centimeter leaflets that are lanceolate to oblong, double-serrate, green on top, and white-woolly underneath. The fruit is a small oblong to ovate structure 6 to 9 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished from A. lucida by tomentose habit and sprawling form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs, scrub
Elevation: < 150 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Marin, San Mateo, San Francisco, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Monterey
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Angelica hendersonii blooms Jun-Jul.
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 hendersonii native to California?
Yes. Angelica hendersonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Angelica hendersonii bloom?
Angelica hendersonii blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Angelica hendersonii grow?
Angelica hendersonii occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, Marin, San Mateo, San Francisco, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Sonoma and other counties, at elevations of < 150 m.
What plant family does Angelica hendersonii belong to?
Angelica hendersonii is in the Apiaceae family, genus Angelica.
What habitat does Angelica hendersonii grow in?
Angelica hendersonii grows in Coastal bluffs, scrub.
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.