Brewer’s angelica (Angelica breweri) growing along the Truckee River near Truckee, CA. August 2011. Photo: Kelsey McCutcheon.
Brewer’s Angelica
Angelica breweri
- Carrot family (Apiaceae).
- Flowers: White, June-August.
- Leaves: Serrated, twice-pinnately compound.
- Up to five feet tall.
Record Observations
Species Description:
Brewer’s angelica is native to the Sierra Nevada range, and can be found along upper reaches of the Truckee River. Its white flowers look like fireworks — rounded bundles of blossoms that radiate out from a central point on the stalk, an arrangement called a compound umbel.
Brewer’s angelica is a member of the Carrot family (Apiaceae), with a strong taproot and leaves that are twice-pinnately compound. A plant with twice-pinnately compound leaves has leaflets that are divided into a second set of leaflets. For examples, look at these diagrams or see the photo of Brewer’s angelica leaves below.
Brewer’s angelica looks similar to two other plants you might find on the Truckee: Poison hemlock, and Cow parsnip. The leaves of the Poison hemlock are more fern-like, and the leaves of the Cow parsnip are palmate (veins radiate out from a central point) and up to 2 feet wide.
Additional Images:
Photos & Information needed!
Do you have information on this species, or original photographs taken locally? If so, please contribute photos and observations here, or email information to kelseymccutcheon@gmail.com. Thanks!
References:
Graf, M. (1999). Plants of the Tahoe Basin. Berkeley, CA: California Native Plant Society Press.
Murphey, Edith Van Allen. (1958). Indian Uses of Native Plants. Glenwood, IL: Meyerbooks.
USDA Plants: Plants profile for Angelica breweri, Brewer’s Angelica. USDA Plants Database. Accessed 7/15/15.