Chinese angelica
Angelica sinensis

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 75 cm to 1.25 m tall. It spreads 40-90 cm wide. It has a short underground stem or rhizome. The stems are upright. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. They are grey-green but can be flushed with purple. The leaves are 20-30 cm long. The flowers are greenish and in a flat head. The leaves are narrowly oval and have notches along them.

There are 50 Angelica species. They are temperate plants. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is hardy to frost. It grows between 2,500-3,000 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, China, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The roots are used in tonic soups, wines and rice porridges. They are also used with meat and poultry dishes. Caution: It should not be given to pregnant women.

Edible parts

Leaves, roots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Dang gui, Dong quai

Synonyms

Angelica polymorpha var. sinensis Oliv.;