An herb is a plant whose leaves, seeds, or flowers are used for flavoring food or in medicine. Other uses of herbs include cosmetics, dyes, and perfumes. The name derives from the Latin word herba, meaning “green crops.” Angelica archangelica, usually called simply angelica or garden angelica but also known as wild celery, is a member of the the Apiaceae or parsley family, along with anise, caraway, carrot, cumin, dill, and fennel. Other varieties include Angelica atropurpurea, known as American angelica or Purple angelica.
History. Angelica was commonplace in Victorian gardens, and the stems were eaten in salad. The herb was also thought to be a protection against the plague. Its name is explained by some as deriving from the fact that it bloomed on the old style feast of Michael the Archangel on 8 May.
Description. Angelica is a biennial or perennial with a short life. It usually attains a height of two to three feet (60 to 90 cm) in the first year, and in the second year, sends up a six to eight foot (2 to 2.4 m) bloom stalk, which sometimes reaches up to ten feet (3 m). It occurs in both wild and cultivated forms, and the greenish-white flowers bloom from June through August.
Gardening. Angelica prefers moist soil with sun or partial shade in the heat of the day. It may self-seed, or you can plant seeds in fall or seedlings in spring. It does best in well-drained soil with lots of water. Cut the stems when young so that they don’t become tough.
Food and Other Uses. The roots, stalks, leaves, and flowers of angelica are all edible. The taste is described as sweet and then bitter The stalks are candied for use as a confection, and, in fact, their primary use involves the candied stem as a confectionary decoration. In southern Spain and southwest France, there is a tradition of carving angelica.
The leaves of angelica are used in fruit dishes, soup, stew, and fish and poultry dishes. Essential oil of angelica, found in the roots and seeds, is used in commercial liqueurs – it is an ingredient in absinthe – as well as in ice creams and candy. It is also used in perfumery and medicine.
