Observations of the Month: Sanicles (Apiaceae)
Sharp-Tooth Sanicle (Sanicula arguta) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107161156 by @hikingsandiego
Purple Sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/114084832 by @toyonito
Pacific Sanicle (Sanicula crassicaulis) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/148220406 by @awiese
Sierra Sanicle (Sanicula graveolens) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44401821 by @efmer
Turkey Pea Sanicle (Sanicula tuberosa) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107161422 by @madge
Like many others in the Carrot Family (Apiaceae), plants in the genus Sanicula have flowers arranged in a compound umbel. In San Diego County, we have 5 species in the genus, 4 of which usually have yellow flowers and one which usually has purple flowers but rarely has yellow flowers. To tell the 5 species apart, start by examining their leaves. All 5 have divided leaves, but the leaves of each have different characteristics.
Sharp-Tooth Sanicle (Sanicula arguta) has leaves that are palmately or pinnately lobed. As indicated by the common name, the leaf margins are sharply toothed. Sharp-Tooth Sanicle can be found from the coast to the foothills and lower mountain elevations. It is one of the more common of our San Diego County sanicles.
Sharp-Tooth Sanicle by hikingsandiego
Purple Sanicle (S. bipinnatifida) is easy to identify if the flowers are purple, but if you happen upon a specimen with yellow flowers, look for leaves that are crowded together, have a slight bluish hue, and are dissected into several broad lobes. The leaf margins are toothed. Purple Sanicle is not found on the immediate coast but is found from near the coast into the inland valleys and mountains. It is also one of the more common sanicles in our county.
Purple Sanicle by toyonito
Pacific Sanicle (S. crassicaulis) is named for its thick stem (crassus=thick, caulis=stem). Its roundish leaves are divided into 3 to 5 palmate lobes with toothed margins. Pacific Sanicle can be found from the coast into the lower mountains. It is probably the most common of the 5 species.
Pacific Sanicle by awiese
Sierra Sanicle (S. graveolens) is the least common of our sanicles and is only found in the Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountains. Its leaves are divided into pinnate or ternate (3 parts) lobes.
Sierra Sanicle by efmer
Turkey Pea Sanicle (S. tuberosa) is more common than Sierra Sanicle, but less common than the other species in our county. The species name refers to the plant’s small underground tubers which may also be the basis for “pea” in the common name. Its leaves are divided into many very narrow segments, looking almost fern-like. The stem and leaf petioles of Turkey Pea Sanicle are reddish purple.
Turkey Pea Sanicle by madge
Next time you happen upon a sanicle, be sure to examine and photograph the leaves to help determine which species you have observed.
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