Sanicula tracyi
Tracy's sanicle
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Sanicula tracyi (Tracy's sanicle) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by conifer forest habitat, few bisexual flowers (2-3), and smooth inflated tubercles diagnostic.
Tracy's sanicle is a California native perennial found in northern coastal and North Coast Ranges, including Humboldt and Butte Counties, in openings within conifer forest and woodland at elevations of 40 to 1,550 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small yellow flowers in delicate clusters with distinctive fused bracts. Growing 35 to 60 centimeters tall with a slender taprooted structure, it develops compound ternate leaves that are green to purplish with irregularly toothed leaflets. Its leaves are intricately structured, with blades 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters wide, approximately ovate in shape and featuring serrated margins. The fruit is small, 2 to 3 millimeters wide, with slightly inflated tubercles that are mostly unarmed.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; conifer forest habitat, few bisexual flowers (2-3), and smooth inflated tubercles diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in conifer forest, woodland
Elevation: 40-1550 m
California counties: Humboldt, Trinity, Sierra, Butte, Tehama
Bloom period
Sanicula tracyi blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 tracyi native to California?
Yes. Sanicula tracyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sanicula tracyi bloom?
Sanicula tracyi blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Sanicula tracyi grow?
Sanicula tracyi occurs in Humboldt, Trinity, Sierra, Butte, Tehama, at elevations of 40-1550 m.
What plant family does Sanicula tracyi belong to?
Sanicula tracyi is in the Apiaceae family, genus Sanicula.
Is Sanicula tracyi rare or endangered?
Sanicula tracyi carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
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.