Angelica capitellata
| Angelica capitellata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Angelica |
| Species: | A. capitellata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Angelica capitellata (A.Gray) Spalik, Reduron & S.R.Downie
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Angelica capitellata, synonym Sphenosciadium capitellatum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae.[1] When treated as Sphenosciadium capitellatum, it was the only species in the monotypic genus Sphenosciadium. It is known by the common names woollyhead parsnip,[2] ranger's buttons, button parsley, and swamp white heads.
Description[edit]
It is a stout perennial herb growing from a tuberous root and producing an erect stem often exceeding 1 meter (3+1⁄2 feet) tall and sometimes reaching 2.1 m (7 ft) overall.[3] The stem and leaves are usually green but sometimes nearly white in color, smooth below but with rough hairs on the inflorescence. The leaves are 10–40 centimeters (4–15+1⁄2 inches) long[3] and divided into several segments which bear widely spaced leaflets. The leaflets may also be intricately divided into small segments.
The inflorescence is a whitish compound umbel about 10 cm (4 in) across,[3] with many branches. It blooms from July to August.[3] The nearly spherical, headlike terminal umbellets contain many tiny white or purple-tinged flowers, whose protruding stamens make them appear very fuzzy in full bloom, as for the central umbels in the top right image.
Distribution and habitat[edit]
The plant is native to western North America from eastern Oregon and central Idaho through Nevada and southern California,[3] reaching into Baja California. It grows in moist habitat types, such as creeksides and meadows.[3]
Ranger's buttons plants are quite similar to the other large Umbelliferae that share similar habitats: Sierra angelica and cow parsnip, but each has a very differently shaped leaf, and the other two have umbellets with quite distinct flowers, in contrast to the tight balls on ranger's buttons.[4]
Toxicity[edit]
The species is included in Toxic Plants of North America (2001).[5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Angelica capitellata (A.Gray) Spalik, Reduron & S.R.Downie". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Sphenosciadium capitellatum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Spellenberg, Richard (2001) [1979]. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region (rev ed.). Knopf. p. 342. ISBN 978-0-375-40233-3.
- ^ Norman F. Weeden (1996), A Sierra Nevada Flora (4th ed.), Wilderness Press, ISBN 0-89997-204-7
- ^ George E. Burroughs; Ronald J. Tyrl (2001), Toxic Plants of North America (1st ed.), Iowa State Press, ISBN 0-8138-2266-1
