Sanicula arguta

Sharp toothed sanicle

Family: Apiaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Sharp toothed sanicle is a California native perennial found in central coastal California, southern coastal ranges, and southwestern California in open grassy or rocky slopes at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces yellow flowers in small clusters with intricate umbrella-like arrangements. Growing 10 to 50 centimeters tall with a distinctive turnip-shaped taproot, it develops minutely rough stems. Its leaves are triangular-ovate, deeply divided into seven or more segments with sharply toothed margins, appearing almost palmately dissected. The fruit develops small, stout, curved prickles that are notably inflated and bulbous at the tips.

Habitat: Open grassy or rocky slopes

Bloom period: Mar-Apr

Elevation: < 1400 m

Bioregions: CCo, SCoRO, SW

California counties: Santa Barbara, San Diego, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Alameda

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.