General: Charleston Mountain Angelica (Angelica scabrida) is an upright perennial forb (to 5-ft tall) with large, compound leaves (to 3-ft long) that are divided into three sets of three leaflet each. The inflorescence is a compound umbel, forming a big ball of white flowers. Oblong fruits can remain on old flower stalks. The petal-backs are scabrous (feel rough), and the fruits are 8-14 mm long.

There are two species of Angelica in the Spring Mountains that look similar. Charleston Mountain Angelica, however, has leaves more coarsely divided and lighter green, and the petal-backs are scabrous. In contrast, King angelica (Angelica kingii) has leaves more finely divided and darker green, and the petal-backs are pubescent.

Charleston Mountain Angelica is a rare component of mountain communities with damp or wet soils. Around Las Vegas, look for this species only in the Transition (Yellow Pine Forest), and Canadian (Pine-Fir Forest) life zones up on Mt. Charleston in Kyle Canyon and at Red Rock Canyon NCA in Lost Creek Canyon.

Family: Parsley (Apiaceae)

Other Names: Rough Angelica.

Plant Form: Upright, herbaceous plant with large leaves.

Height: To about 5 feet.

Stems: Erect, roughened, pubescent, hollow at internodes

Leaves: Compound (twice pinnate), divided into three sets of three leaflet each. Leaflets to about 15 inches long; ovate to lanceolate; margin serrate with small spines on the tips of each point. Glabrous.

Flowers: Blooms in the spring. Inflorescence: compound umbels. Flowers white (sometimes pink, red, purple) with 5 petals and scabrous petal-backs.

Fruit: Oblong; 2-seeded, flattened, slightly ribbed, 8-14 mm, narrow wings.

Habitat: Damp and wet mountains limestone and sandstone soils.. Gravel washes, avalanche chuted, shady cracks.

Elevation: About 4,300 to 9,350 feet

Distribution: Endemic to the Spring Mountains. Only occurs on Mt. Charleston and at Red Rock Canyon NCA.

Comments: USFS sensitive, USFWS and SMNRA species of concern, BLM Nevada Special Status Species, Nevada Natural Heritage Program sensitive with rank G2S2.