Plant Profile: Angelica capitellata

Ranger's Buttons is a perennial member of the carrot family, indigenous to California, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. This plant thrives in moist environments, such as meadows, stream banks, and wetlands. In late summer, it showcases its striking button-like white flowers, which bloom in 4-inch wide umbels atop a robust, upright stem that can grow up to 6 feet tall.

For optimal growth, it should be planted in full sun to partial shade within average moist soils. The nectar of Ranger's Buttons is particularly appealing to bees and butterflies, and it serves as a larval host for the Anise Swallowtail butterfly, making it a valuable addition to any pollinator garden. However, it is not commonly available in the market.

Ranger's Buttons can be easily identified among other white-flowered plants in the carrot family, as they typically feature more rounded umbels rather than the flatter umbellets that are often adjacent or overlapping.

While this plant is deemed toxic to livestock, it is seldom consumed and may cause photosensitivity if contacted.