Sanicula hoffmannii
Hoffmann's sanicle, Hoffmann's Sanicle
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Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Sanicula hoffmannii (Hoffmann's sanicle) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by blue-green color and narrow leaflets with petiole-like bases diagnostic.
Hoffmann's sanicle is a California native perennial found in the central coastal regions, including Santa Cruz County, southern coastal California, and northern Channel Islands in shrubby coastal hills and pine woodland at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces green-yellow flowers in small clustered heads with 4 to 10 bisexual and 3 to 5 staminate flowers. Growing 30 to 90 centimeters tall with a stout taprooted structure, it develops robust stems that support its distinctive foliage. Its leaves are compound and palmate, typically blue-green with triangular blades 4.5 to 13.5 centimeters long, featuring three obovate leaflets with irregularly serrate margins and a central leaflet 4 to 7 centimeters long. The fruit develops as a small 3 to 5 millimeter ovate structure with curved, somewhat poorly developed prickles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; blue-green color and narrow leaflets with petiole-like bases diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: shrubby coastal hills, pine woodland
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Clara
Bloom period
Sanicula hoffmannii blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 hoffmannii native to California?
Yes. Sanicula hoffmannii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sanicula hoffmannii bloom?
Sanicula hoffmannii blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Sanicula hoffmannii grow?
Sanicula hoffmannii occurs in San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Clara, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Sanicula hoffmannii belong to?
Sanicula hoffmannii is in the Apiaceae family, genus Sanicula.
Is Sanicula hoffmannii rare or endangered?
Sanicula hoffmannii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.