Species library · Plants & herbs

Wild Angelica: poisonous

Angelica sylvestris

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Wild Angelica is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from May to July in the northern hemisphere. Found in Wetland, Waterside, Woodland edges. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris)

Photo: (c) tsiegretlop, some rights reserved (CC BY) · iNaturalist

When Wild Angelica appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Wild Angelica is usually found in Wetland, Waterside, Woodland edges.

Look up Wild Angelica in the app

In the Forage app, Wild Angelica has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Wild Angelica: common questions

Is Wild Angelica poisonous?

Yes. Wild Angelica is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Wild Angelica appear?

Wild Angelica usually appears from May to July in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Wild Angelica grow?

Wild Angelica is usually found in Wetland, Waterside, Woodland edges.

What can Wild Angelica be confused with?

Deadly look-alikes: poison hemlock, cowbane, hemlock water-dropwort. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits