Angelica triquinata aka Filmy Angelica

Angelica triquinata is a perennial wildflower in the carrot family, Apiaceae. Common names include filmy angelica, mountain angelica, and Appalachian angelica. It comes from the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States. Its range stretches from Georgia north to Pennsylvania. It grows in woodland openings and meadows at middle to high elevations. The RHS lists Angelica curtisii as a synonym.

This upright plant grows 3–6 feet (0.91–1.83 metres) tall. Its spread reaches 2–4 feet (0.61–1.22 metres). It grows at a moderate rate and needs little maintenance. Young stems are green, then may turn reddish purple. Most of the stem is smooth, without a scent. Fine hairs grow near the flower clusters. Green, compound leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. The leaves can exceed 0.5 feet (0.15 metres) long. Their leaflets reach about 0.25 feet (0.08 metres) in length. Leaflets have coarse teeth, sharp tips, and sometimes lobes. Tiny hairs fringe their edges, and veins mark their surfaces.

In North Carolina, flowers open from August through September. Small blooms form compound umbels at the ends of stems. These clusters span 0.25–0.5 feet (0.08–0.15 metres) across. Each holds 13 to 25 smaller groups called umbellets. Flowers range from pale green to greenish white. Some have a pink tint. The fruit is a schizocarp, with cream, tan, or yellow tones. Its smooth, striped seeds are flat and have two side wings. Fruit develops during September and October in North Carolina.

Grow this plant in full sun or partial shade. It prefers fertile soil rich in organic matter. Keep the soil moist, but allow good drainage. It accepts acid to neutral soil and brief dry or wet periods. NC State lists it for USDA zones 5–8. Seed is the recommended way to raise new plants. Its height and flower clusters suit meadows and native gardens. The source also lists woodland sites, banks, and rain gardens. Bees and other insects visit the flowers. Five butterfly and moth species use it as a host plant.

Its value to insects comes with a safety concern. Nectar can leave bees, yellow jackets, and hornets sluggish or unsteady. NC State notes that its poisonous effects remain poorly understood. It rates the human poison risk as low. The plant contains furocoumarins, which can cause skin reactions. Contact may cause dermatitis or make skin more sensitive to sunlight. The warning covers flowers, leaves, roots, stems, and sap.