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Wood Sanicle Sanicula europaea 

 
 
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts FliesFlies are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Umbrella-Shaped FlowersUmbrella-shaped flowers
White FlowersWhite flowers
5 Petals5 petals
May-Sep Flowering
period
Divided LeavesDivided leaves
Forwardly-Toothed LeavesForwardly-toothed leaves
Ribbed StemRibbed stem
Tap RootTap root
50cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Wood Sanicle
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Wood Sanicle is a native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodlands and hedgerows, to a mature height of up to 50cm.

Sanicle has been used in historic herbal medicines to treat wounds and the leaves have since been found to contain antiviral compounds. It was also used traditionally as an infusion for gastrointestinal and urinary conditions. Note, however, that the plant contains toxic saponins and should not be used for these purposes or ingested. The presence of established Wood Sanicle can be an indicator of ancient woodland.

Botanic classification and naming: Wood Sanicle is a member of the Carrot (Apiaceae) family. The genus name 'Sanicula' identifies the plant as a Sanicle and its species name 'europaea' means 'European plant'.

Concerns: The plant contains toxic saponins.

Benefits: Sanicle is a food source for caterpillars of the moth species Agonopterix astrantiae, which is rare in the UK.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Wood Sanicle

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Wood Sanicle usually flowers between May and September.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour White

White

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Umbrella

Umbrella

Petals:

Petal Number =  5

5

Leaf of Wood Sanicle

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Divided

Divided

Or:

Alternative Leaf Shape is Lobed

Lobed

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is forwardly-toothed

forwardly-toothed

Stem of Wood Sanicle

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Ribbed

Ribbed

Root type:

Root Type is Tap

Tap