King's angelica

Angelica kingii (S.Watson) J.M.Coult. & Rose

Angelica kingii, known as King's angelica, is a perennial herb in the Apiaceae family. It is native to the western United States, particularly the Great Basin region. The plant has a taproot and produces an erect, hollow stem that can grow between 30 centimeters and two meters tall. It is characterized by large, compound leaves with lance-shaped leaflets up to 12 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a compound umbel with up to 14 long rays, each bearing clusters of small, hairy flowers. The fruit consists of two bodies, each about half a centimeter long, containing a seed.

Description

Angelica kingii is a variable species in both shape and size. It is found in California, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. The plant's hollow stem supports its large, compound leaves, which are divided into many lanceolate leaflets. The flowers are arranged in compound umbels, with each ray holding small, hairy flowers. The fruit develops as a pair of bodies, each containing a single seed. This species was first described in 1900 and is part of the Angelica genus, which includes various herbaceous plants known for their aromatic properties and umbellate inflorescences.