Sanicula maritima
Adobe sanicle
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Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Sanicula maritima (Adobe sanicle) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by wet coastal habitat and entire to shallowly lobed leaves diagnostic.
Adobe sanicle is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the central Coast ranges of Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, historically present in the San Francisco Bay Area, in coastal grassy wet meadows and ravines at elevations around 150 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces delicate yellow flowers in small clustered heads. Growing with erect stems 8 to 40 centimeters tall and a robust taproot, it forms compact clumps in moist environments. Its leaves are simple and variable, typically 3 to 8 centimeters long, ranging from ovate-cordate to obovate with occasional shallow lobes, presenting a soft green appearance. The fruit develops as a small 5-millimeter structure covered with stout, curved prickles that are distinctively bulbous at the tips.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; wet coastal habitat and entire to shallowly lobed leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal, grassy, open wet meadows, ravines
Elevation: +- 150 m.
California counties: Del Norte, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Alameda
Bloom period
Sanicula maritima blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 maritima native to California?
Yes. Sanicula maritima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sanicula maritima bloom?
Sanicula maritima blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Sanicula maritima grow?
Sanicula maritima occurs in Del Norte, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Alameda, at elevations of +- 150 m..
What plant family does Sanicula maritima belong to?
Sanicula maritima is in the Apiaceae family, genus Sanicula.
Is Sanicula maritima rare or endangered?
Sanicula maritima carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
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.