Sanicula odorata
(Clustered Black Snakeroot)

Other pictures of this plant:


               Seedpod                                           Leaf                                            Stem                                        Seed                                          Habit

Facts About this Plant:

    Common Names: Clustered Black Snakeroot, Clustered Sanicle, Gregarious Black Snakeroot, Fragrant Sanicle, Common Black Snakeroot
    Synonyms: Sanicula gregaria, Triclinium odoratum
    Lifespan: Perennial
    Zones: 3 - 8
    Type: Forb
    Bloom Time: June - July
    Status: Native
    Range:

Sanicula odorata, or Clustered Black Snakeroot, is native to the eastern half of the United States. It is a perennial, that grows in open woods, woodland edges and thickets. It blooms in mid summer with green-yellow flowers that have styles and stamens that stick out prominently.

There are several species of Sanicula in the United States, and many look very similar. Our focus here for now will be on the four main species that are most widespread in the US:
Sanicula canadensis: this species has small white flowers with no styles or stamens that stick out from it; its leaves are arranged in threes
Sanicula marilandica: this species has white flowers, with styles and stamens that stick out prominently; its leaves are arranged in sets of 5 to 7
Sanicula odorata: this species has distinctly yellowish flowers, also with styles and stamens that stick out prominently; its leaves are arranged in sets of 3 to 5
Sanicula trifoliata: this species has small white flowers, and leaves arranged in threes, but the male flowers stick out prominently on conspicuous stalks

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