Angelica glauca aka Smooth Angelica

Angelica glauca is a perennial, a plant that lives for years. It belongs to Apiaceae, the carrot family. Its native range spans the east of Afghanistan. It also spans the western Himalaya and western Tibet. Records include the north of Pakistan and parts of northern India. It grows in temperate regions, but is not native to Britain or Ireland. In the wild, it grows among scrub on humus-rich ground. Known sites lie at 6,562–10,499 feet [2,000–3,200 metres]. In Tibet, it also grows beside ditches.

The plant reaches about 6.6 feet [2 metres] in height. The account does not state its width when full-grown. It flowers from July to August. Its seeds ripen in those months too. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The plant can also fertilise itself. The supplied species accounts do not describe its leaf shape. They do not state its flower colour either. They give no details about its stems or fruit.

PFAF says the plant prefers moist soil. It accepts sand, loam and clay. It can grow in mildly acid or neutral soil. It accepts mildly alkaline ground too. It grows in sun or part shade. PFAF lists it for woodland gardens and shaded edges. These sites fit its recorded use as a scented plant. The account says it withstands frost, but gives no hardiness zone. How well it grows across Britain remains unclear. PFAF gives more detailed growing advice for the genus. That advice is not specific to this species.

The scented root serves as a food flavouring. This use is as a condiment, not a staple food. Dry roots contain about 1.3 percent essential oil. PFAF records traditional use for indigestion and constipation. This does not prove that it works as medicine. Nor does it show a safe dose. PFAF's hazard note covers furocoumarins across the genus. These compounds can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. They may also cause dermatitis, a form of skin inflammation. The supplied evidence gives no safety details specific to pets.

PFAF says to sow fresh seed. The seed soon loses its ability to sprout. It needs light to sprout. You can sow it in a cold frame. You can also sow fresh seed straight into its final site. Spring sowing is an option, though fewer seeds may sprout. Move seedlings into their own pots once you can handle them. Keep them in a cold frame through their first winter. Plant them out the next spring. PFAF does not flag the species as weedy.