Sanicula bipinnata

Sanicula bipinnata is a species of plant in the family Apiaceae known by the common name poison sanicle.^[1] It is endemic to California where it is found in low-elevation mountains and foothills, especially in the hills along the coast. It occurs in the California Coastal Range and Sierra Nevada foothills,^[2] including Ring Mountain, California.^[3]

Sanicula bipinnata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Apiaceae
Genus:	Sanicula
Species:	S. bipinnata
Binomial name
Sanicula bipinnata Hook. & Arn.
Synonyms[1]
Sanicula pinnatifida Torr.

Description

It is recognizable as a relative of the carrots and parsnips with its thin stalk topped with small umbels of yellow or cream flowers. The origin of its poisonous reputation is unknown.^[4] Yet despite the name, there are no current records of its toxicity in humans, though it or a related species might be toxic to horses or other stock animals.^[5] It was called wene by the Miwok and used to treat venomous bites from snakes, perhaps providing a reason for the common name in English. Though they used other sanicles in the same manner.^[6] The Karuk called the plant ikxash and traditionally ate the young leaves as a green, indicating the toxic reputation is undeserved.^[7]