[GrannieAnnie]

My friend gave this this thing 3 years ago.  It has taken a long time to have a 'flower' spike grow, but now its HUGE!  About 12 foot tall.

Can anyone please tell me what it is?  Many thanks   Ann

[mumofstig]

looks like angelica to me at first view:unsure:

[sunshineband]

Yes it is angelica --- what a monster it grow into as well  My d has one and has had to cut off a lot of the loewer growth as it was blocking the path.Bees love it though and she is going to attempt to acndy some of the young stems 

[GrannieAnnie]

It doesn't look like the Angelica I grew when I lived in Kent!  that was very tall and skinny and only had one flower pike thingy.  this one has 3!

but looks like you are right!  I just googled angelica images, and there is was!!!   thank you everyone.  I know they crystalise angelica, but can I do anything else with it???

thanks for your help!!

[joyfull]

Taken from the bbc food glossary - Candied angelica is made by boiling the stems in sugar syrup. If you can find the fresh herb the stems can be cooked with rhubarb or apple for pies or crumbles. They're also used in jams and preserves, and the leaves go well with fish or in salads.
It is a herb and was known as the herb of the angels and was considered medicinal.
Never tried it myself, but my gran used to use it

[sunshineband]

Fresh angelica has a slightly liquorishy taste, and you can use the young stems as a steamed vegetable, or use them as flavouring with herbs like bay (which it complements well). Leaves can be added to salad too.

There's certainly enought to go around as the plants are massive 

[joyfull]

Think I might have to go and buy myself one of these 

[gillie]

Just be absolutely sure it is angelica before you start eating it... some of this family are seriously poisonous.

Gillie

[sunshineband]

Just be absolutely sure it is angelica before you start eating it... some of this family are seriously poisonous.

Gillie

You can grow it from seed quite easily. That might save any poisonous mistakes