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Angelica laxiflora - Diels.

Author	Diels.	Botanical references
Family	Umbelliferae	Genus	Angelica
Synonyms
Known Hazards	All members of this genus contain furocoumarins, which increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and may cause dermatitis[238].
Range	E. Asia - China.
Habitat	Not known
Edibility Rating	0 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	1 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic; Antiinflammatory; Antirheumatic; Nervine; Sedative; Vasodilator.

The root is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, nervine, sedative and vasodilator[176]. It is used in the treatment of colds with fever, headache and muscle ache, rheumatic pain - especially in the lower part of the body[176].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know how hardy it will be in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in parts of this country. It is possibly no more than a synonym for A. pubescens[218]. It could also be a misspelling for A. laxifoliata[266]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a deep moist fertile soil in dappled shade or full sun[200]. Plants are reliably perennial if they are prevented from setting seed[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe since the seed only has a short viability[200]. Seed can also be sown in the spring, though germination rates will be lower. It requires light for germination[200]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in the spring. The seed can also be sow in situ as soon as it is ripe.

Links

Permaculture.info Details of this plant in the Permaculture.info project, a community plant and permaculture database.

References

[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

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