Angelica lineariloba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Angelica lineariloba |
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Angelica lineariloba is a plant often called poison angelica or Sierra angelica. It's a type of Angelica plant that grows in the mountains. You can find it in the Sierra Nevada mountains and nearby areas in California and western Nevada. This plant likes to grow at high elevations, from about 6,000 to 10,600 feet above sea level.
What is Sierra Angelica?
Sierra angelica is a taprooted perennial herb. This means it has a main root that grows straight down, like a carrot. It also lives for many years, not just one season. The plant grows a tall, hollow stem that can reach up to about 1.5 meters (nearly 5 feet) high.
How Does it Look?
The leaves of the Sierra angelica are large but look very delicate. They are made up of many small parts called leaflets. These leaflets are deeply cut, almost like feathers, and are long and thin, like threads.
The flowers grow in a special shape called a compound umbel. Imagine an umbrella turned upside down, with many small stems branching out from a central point. Each of these stems holds a cluster of tiny white to cream-colored flowers. There can be up to 40 of these "umbrella spokes" on one plant.
At the bottom of each leaf stem, where it connects to the main plant stem, there are papery covers. These covers are called sheaths.
Is it Poisonous?
Yes, this plant is called "poison angelica" for a reason. It can be harmful if you touch it or eat it. It's very important to never touch or eat any wild plant unless an adult or an expert tells you it's safe. Always be careful when exploring nature!
Plants That Look Similar
Sierra angelica can sometimes be mistaken for other large plants that have similar flower clusters. Two common ones are cow parsnip and swamp whiteheads.
- Cow parsnip plants are also very big. However, their leaves are large and usually have big, rounded parts, but they are not divided into many tiny leaflets like the Sierra angelica.
- Swamp whiteheads also have different leaves. Their leaves are arranged like feathers along a central stem. Also, their individual flower clusters are dense, round balls, not as open as the Sierra angelica's flowers.
