Sanicula rubriflora

F. Schmidt

Purple-flowered sanicle

Apiaceae Edible: Leaves Potential hazards — see below 124 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

A 0.5 m tall perennial with hermaphrodite, self-fertile flowers pollinated by insects. Blooms July to September with seeds ripening July to September. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH. Suitable for semi-shade to full sun with preference for moist soil.

Description

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 20-50 cm high. The rootstocks are oblique. There is one bud at the end and this produces 5-6 leaves and a flowering stem. The leaves are at the base. The outer leaves are smaller and on leaf stalks 4-7 cm long. The inner 3-4 are much larger and on longer leaf stalks. The leaves are divided into finger like segments. They have lobes and teeth. The flowers are purple-red.

Edible Uses

Young leaves can be eaten cooked. Some caution is advised regarding toxicity.

Traditional Uses

The young plants gathered before flowering are dipped in hot water, washed, seasoned and used as a vegetable. They are also pickled with salt for later use.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Although no mention has been seen for this species, the leaves of at least two other members of the genus contain saponins. Although toxic, saponins are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm, they are also destroyed by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.

Distribution

It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in rich forest soils and wet meadows. In north China it grows in shady wet places between 200-500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. Strongly dislikes poor thin soils. Prefers a loamy or calcareous soil.

Propagation

No specific information is available for this species; the following notes apply to the related S. europaea. Stratification improves germination. Sow seed in autumn if possible; sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. The best results come from sowing in situ in woodland soil under trees. If seed is limited, sow in pots of woodland soil in a shady cold frame. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick out into individual pots and grow on in a shaded greenhouse position through their first winter, then plant out in late spring or early summer after the last frosts. Divide in spring — larger divisions can go straight into permanent positions, while smaller ones do best potted up and grown on in a lightly shaded cold frame until well established before planting out in summer.

Other Uses

None known

References (2)

Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 605
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/