SafePlants

Angelica genuflexa

Also known as Kneeling Angelica, Angelica genuflexa is a perennial plant with notable ecological connections and distinctive physical characteristics.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant grows to 1 meter (3ft 3in) tall.

Considerations for Children

• This plant grows to 1 meter (3ft 3in) tall.
• The stem is hollow.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Angelica genuflexa Nutt. ex Torr. &amp A. Gray
• Common Name: Kneeling Angelica
• Family: Apiaceae (also referred to as Umbelliferae)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Synonyms: Angelica genuflexa Nutt.

Distribution and Habitat

• Angelica genuflexa is native to northwestern North America.
• It can be found from Alaska to northern California.
• Specific locations include the Columbia Gorge, OR (Upper Latell Falls), and the McKenzie River Trail.
• Also found in Japan.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is a perennial plant, growing up to 1 meter (3-6 feet) tall.
• The foliage can be stout, hairy, or hairless.
• The stem is hollow, often purplish, and shiny.
• Leaves are pinnately compound. The first pair of leaflets is a key characteristic.
• It has large, dome-shaped flowers.

Ecological Role

• It serves as an attractive landing pad and nectar source for insects.
• Its flowering phenology is associated with the seasonal spawn timing of salmon in their natal streams.

Quirky Facts

• Kneeling angelica has evolved to bloom about a week after salmon return to a stream to spawn.

Further Resources

• Flora of North America (FNA): Check for Angelica genuflexa in the Flora of North America.
• Discover Life: A page dedicated to the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Kneeling Angelica.
• ABMI species summary for Angelica genuflexa.
• Oregon Flora Project.