Sanicula elata Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don

The species has reputed medicinal value. It is a widespread and very variable species, and the leaf dissection tends to intergrade with that of Sanicula astrantiifolia in E Himalayan material.

The related species S. europaea contains saponine, tannin, essential oils & vitamin C. It is used in medicine.

Plants 20–80 cm high. Stem erect, branched above, upper parts purplish brown-tinged. Basal leaves several; petioles 5–25 cm; blade broadly ovate-cordate or subpentagonal, 3–7 × 4–10 cm, palmately 3(–5)-parted, irregularly serrate, teeth mucronate; central segment obovate or rhombic, shallowly 2–3-parted, base cuneate, apex acuminate; lateral segments oblique-ovate, often 2-parted. Cauline leaves short-petiolate; blade 3(–5)-parted, upper leaves greatly reduced. Inflorescence cymose branched, terminal branch often very short, lateral branches elongate; bracts 2, lanceolate; rays ca. 5 mm, unequal; bracteoles 7–10, linear; umbellules 4–8-flowered. Staminate flowers 1–4 per umbellule, pedicels 1–1.5 mm; petals white, pale yellow or pale blue. Fertile flowers 3(or 4) per umbellule; calyx teeth shorter than bristles, persistent; styles 2-times longer than calyx teeth, recurved. Fruit ovoid-globose, 2.5–3 × 2–2.5 mm, densely covered with uncinate bristles; vittae 5, small, commissural vittae 2, larger. Fl. and fr. May–Oct.

Plants up to 1 m tall. Upper stems dichotomously branched. Rootstock thick with fibrous roots. Basal and lower leaves long petioled, palmately divided to the base; lobes 3-5, oval to rhomboidal, 3-10 cm long; margins toothed; teeth spinulose; upper leaves short petioled to subsessile. Inflorescence a compound umbel, usually dichotomously branched. Involucre of 2 or 3 lobed, toothed or entire bracts. Rays usually repeatedly divided. Involucel of minute, linear bract-lets. Calyx teeth linear, 0.5 mm long. Male flowers 3-8 in an umbellet, pedicel¬late; pedicels stout. Perfect flowers 3-4 in an umbellet, subsessile. Styles 1 mm long. Fruit ovoid, 3 mm long, covered with uncinate bristles; ridges obsolete; vittae minute, numerous; commissure with 2 large vittae. Inner seed face slightly concave.

Widely distributed from the mountains of tropical Africa through the Himalayas, and extending to China and Malaysia.

Guangxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, N India, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam; E Africa].

Distribution: South Japan to S.W. China, S.E. Asia, India, W. Pakistan, East to South Africa.

1600-3500 m

Forests, stream banks; 800–3200 m.