Pacific Sanicle

The Pacific Sanicle is a thick, leafy perennial herb which emerges from a taproot. Near the base, the bright green leaves have three large lobes up to 12 cm with a soft, hairy texture. Further up the thick stem, which can reach 1.2 meters in height, the leaves narrow and are divided into a few deep lobes edged with small teeth. The inflorescence is made up of one or more small flower heads with tiny curved yellow petals. Under each greenish-yellow flower head are approximately five small lance shaped leaves. The plant’s round fruits, which are borne in small clusters, are covered in curved prickles and a few millimeters long.

Basic Information

• Member of the carrot family Apiaceae

• Perennial herb

Habitat

• Native to the North American west coast from British Columbia to Baja California

• Primarily found in many habitats including mountain slopes, grasslands, and woodlands

Ecological Role

• Pollinated mainly by butterflies

Reproduction

• Blooms from February - June

• The heads of the flower are bisexual, having both male and female organs

• There are male-only flowers, which have yellow petals

Alternative Names

• Gamble Weed, Pacific Blacksnakeroot

Historical Uses

• Native people, mainly the Miwok tribe, made a poultice of the leaves for rattlesnake bites and other wounds

  • The common name snakeroot probably refers to this use