Sanicula arctopoides
Footsteps of spring, yellow mats, Yellow Mats
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Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Sanicula arctopoides (Footsteps of spring) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by unique prostrate habit.
Footsteps of spring is a California native perennial found in northern coastal and central coastal bioregions on open coastal bluffs, headlands, and dunes at elevations below 250 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces small yellow flowers in delicate clusters with distinctive bracts. Growing prostrate across the ground, it spreads 10 to 30 centimeters wide with a strong taproot and erect flowering stems. Its leaves are bright yellow-green, triangular to round, and intricately dissected into coarsely toothed lobes 2 to 6.5 centimeters wide. The fruit develops small obovate seeds with curved, inflated prickles that give the plant its charming, distinctive texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; unique prostrate habit is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open coastal bluffs, headlands, dunes
Elevation: < 250 m
California counties: Humboldt, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Del Norte, Marin, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Mendocino, Santa Barbara, El Dorado, San Diego, Santa Clara
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Sanicula arctopoides blooms Feb-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Lomatium: Sanicula has dense round flower heads; Lomatium has flat-topped umbrella-shaped flower clusters.; vs Tauschia: Sanicula flowers are in tight round heads; Tauschia has open umbrella-shaped clusters.; vs Trifolium: Sanicula fruits are covered in hooked bristles; clover has smooth pods and distinctive three-part leaves.; vs Ranunculus: Sanicula has dense ball-like flower heads; buttercup has individual flowers on separate stalks.; vs Delphinium: Sanicula has round green flower heads; Delphinium has tall spikes of blue/purple spurred flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sanicula arctopoides native to California?
Yes. Sanicula arctopoides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sanicula arctopoides bloom?
Sanicula arctopoides blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Sanicula arctopoides grow?
Sanicula arctopoides occurs in Humboldt, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Del Norte, Marin and other counties, at elevations of < 250 m.
What plant family does Sanicula arctopoides belong to?
Sanicula arctopoides is in the Apiaceae family, genus Sanicula.
What habitat does Sanicula arctopoides grow in?
Sanicula arctopoides grows in Open coastal bluffs, headlands, dunes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.