Sanicula canadensis.© Gary P. Fleming.Virginia Botanical Associates Blacksburg. 2014. www.vaplantatlas.org. (Accessed 4/2014).

Sanicula canadensis is a biennial herb to 75 cm, roots fibrous; longer branches forking 2-3 times. 

Leaves alternate, palmately 3-5 parted, segments sharply toothed, often lobed, larger leaflets to 8 x 4 cm, lower leaves almost stalkless, upper leaves reduced. 

Flowers greenish-yellowish in small heads arranged in sparse clusters on stalks 0.1 cm long, sepals longer than petals, anthers white; May-July. 

Fruit dry, bur-like aggregate of individual fruits densely covered by hooked bristles, styles shorter than bristles. Adapted for seed dispersal by clinging to fur (adhesive). 

Wetland status: UPL. 

Sanicula canadensis. By Arthur Haines. Copyright © 2017.New England Wild flower Society.gobtany.newenglandwild.org (Accessed 2/2017).

Frequency in NYC: Very infrequent. 

Origin: Native. 

Habitat: Dry, open woods. 

Notes: Dispersal to and establishment in new sites in successional forest, contiguous to old regrowth stands has been calculated at a rate of 0.54 m/yr. (Matlack 1994).