Angelica atropurpurea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Angelica atropurpurea |
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Angelica atropurpurea, also known as purplestem angelica or great angelica, is a tall flowering plant. You can find it growing in wet, swampy woodlands. It often grows near riverbanks in eastern North America. This plant is found in parts of Canada and the United States.
About Purplestem Angelica
This plant is also called American angelica or masterwort. It likes places that are moist, like swamps and riverbanks. You can find it in eastern Canada, including Nunavut, Ontario, and Quebec. In the United States, it grows from New England down to North Carolina. It also grows west to Minnesota and Iowa.
What it Looks Like
Purplestem angelica can grow very tall. It can reach up to 6 feet (180 cm) high. Its main stem is purple, smooth, and strong. It is also hollow inside. The plant's leaves are large and divided into many smaller parts. A lower leaf can be as wide as 2 feet (60 cm).
The plant has white to greenish flowers. These flowers grow in groups that look like umbrellas. Each flower cluster can have up to 40 smaller branches. It can be as wide as 8 inches (20 cm) across.
How People Use It
The stalks of purplestem angelica can be eaten. They taste a bit like celery. Early American settlers used to boil parts of the plant. They would make it into candy or add it to cakes.
Native American cultures have used the root of angelica for a long time. They value its pleasant smell. It was often used in special ceremonies. For example, in California, some shamans would burn it during healing prayers.
People in Arkansas traditionally carried it in their medicine bags. They sometimes mixed it with tobacco for smoking. The Mvskoke Creek tribes, found in Alabama and Oklahoma, also use this plant. They call it "Notossv."
The Creeks use Notossv for different purposes. They use it to help with back pain in adults. It can also help calm people who are very upset or panicking. Sometimes, it is used for children to help with certain issues. It can also help with stomach problems.
In Mvskoke Creek ceremonies, Notossv has special uses. It helps prevent heat stroke during the Ribbon Dance. This dance is part of the Green Corn Ceremony. It also helps ceremonial singers. And it is used to help those who are facing legal problems.
See also
In Spanish: Angelica atropurpurea para niños
