Sanicula saxatilis
Rock sanicle, Rock Sanicle
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Sanicula saxatilis (Rock sanicle) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by Mount Diablo and Mount Hamilton only, large deep tuber diagnostic.
Rock sanicle is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in eastern San Francisco Bay area on Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County and Mount Hamilton in Santa Clara County, inhabiting rocky ridges, chaparral, and woodland at elevations of 900 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pale red-orange or yellow flowers in small clusters with distinctive compound umbels. Growing with stout stems 10 to 25 centimeters tall, it develops a spherical underground tuber 2 to 3.5 centimeters wide. Its compound leaves are ternate to pinnate, with triangular blades 3 to 9 centimeters long, featuring leaflets with finely serrated margins that may appear purple or glaucous. The fruit is small and ovate, 2.5 to 3 millimeters wide, with rounded tubercles that are often nipple-like or slightly bristled.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; Mount Diablo and Mount Hamilton only, large deep tuber diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky ridges or talus, chaparral, woodland
Elevation: 900-1100 m
California counties: Contra Costa, Santa Clara
Bloom period
Sanicula saxatilis blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 saxatilis native to California?
Yes. Sanicula saxatilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sanicula saxatilis bloom?
Sanicula saxatilis blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Sanicula saxatilis grow?
Sanicula saxatilis occurs in Contra Costa, Santa Clara, at elevations of 900-1100 m.
What plant family does Sanicula saxatilis belong to?
Sanicula saxatilis is in the Apiaceae family, genus Sanicula.
Is Sanicula saxatilis rare or endangered?
Sanicula saxatilis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, 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.