Purple Sanicle
Sanicula bipinnatifida
Unlike many in the carrot family that feature white or yellow flowers, this species displays deep purple umbels that can appear almost black.
- Scientific name
- Sanicula bipinnatifida
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Apiales › Apiaceae › Sanicula
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open grassy slopes, oak woodlands, and coastal scrub.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic (autotroph).
- Range
- California, Oregon, Baja California
- Size
- 20 to 60 cm in height
- Lifespan
- 3-7 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Urban development, conversion of grasslands to agriculture, and competition with invasive Mediterranean grasses.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This plant is safe to approach, though its hooked seed heads (burs) will readily cling to clothing and pet fur. Simply pick them off and dispose of them; no medical action is needed.
Sanicula bipinnatifida is a species of flowering plant in the parsley family known by the common names purple sanicle , purple blacksnakeroot , and shoe buttons . It is native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to Baja California, where it can be found in many types of habitat, including grassland, woodlands, and mountain slopes of serpentine soils. It is a perennial herb growing to a maximum height near 60 centimeters from a taproot. It...
Photo: Irene, CC0, via iNaturalist
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