European sanicle (Sanicula europaea, Sp. pl. 1:235. 1753)

Family: Apiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:235. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sanicula

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to SW. Siberia and N. Iran, NW. Africa

Description

The European sanicle, scientifically known as Sanicula europaea, is a fascinating herbaceous plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. First documented in the significant botanical reference “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, the European sanicle has garnered attention for its distinctive characteristics and wide-ranging habitat.

Native to a broad geographical area, the European sanicle can be found across Europe, extending from southwestern Siberia to northern Iran, and even reaching the northwestern regions of Africa. This extensive distribution speaks to the plant’s adaptability to various climates and soil conditions.

Characterized by its erect, slender stems, the European sanicle typically reaches heights of 30 to 60 centimeters. The plant features distinctive leaves, which are palmate with toothed edges, displaying a lush, deep green hue that remains vibrant through the growing season. One of the most notable aspects of the European sanicle is its delicate, greenish-white flowers that cluster in small, rounded umbels. These blooms attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, contributing to the ecological biodiversity of the regions it inhabits.

In traditional herbal medicine, the European sanicle has been attributed with healing properties, particularly in Europe where it has been used as a remedy for wounds and respiratory ailments. While modern medical verification is limited, historical use underscores the plant’s significance in cultural practices and natural healing traditions.

Overall, the European sanicle is not only an important botanical specimen due to its historical documentation and widespread habitat but also a valuable component in understanding the intricate relationships within its ecosystems.

Common Names

Eng: european sanicle, sanicle, wood sanicle
Dan: sanikel
Deu: sanikel, wald-sanikel
Swe: haavayrtti, sårläka
Fin: haavayrtti
Nld: heelkruid
Fra: sanicle, sanicle d’europe, herbe aux chênes
Nob: sanikel
Nno: sanikel
Nor: sanikel
Cym: clust yr arth, llwyn cotymog
En: European sanicle, Sanicle, Wood sanicle
Ar: سانيكولة اوروبية
Eu: Ositxeka
Be: Падлеснік еўрапейскі
Bg: Дебрянка
Ca: Sanícula
Zh: 软雀花
Kw: Yaghlesik
Cs: Žindava evropská
Da: Sanikel
Nl: Heelkruid
Et: Euroopa metsputk
Fi: Haavayrtti, Euroopanhaavayrtti
Fr: Sanicle, Sanicle d’Europe, Herbe aux chênes, Sanicule, Herbe aux vaches, Herbe de saint Laurent
De: Wald-Sanikel, Sanikel, Heildolde, Heilkraut
Hu: Gombernyő
It: Erba Fragolina, Erba-fragolina
Gv: Bossan keylley
No: Sanikel, Sanikkel
Nb: Sanikel
Nn: Sanikel
Fa: سنیکولا اروپاییا
Pl: Żankiel zwyczajny
Ru: Подлесник европейский
Sk: Žindava európska
Es: Sanícula, Hierba agostera, Sanicula
Sv: Sårläka, Haavayrtti
Tr: Derman otu
Uk: Підлісник європейський
Cy: Clust yr arth, Llwyn Cotymog

Synonyms

• Caucalis sanicula (Crantz)
• Caucalis capitata (Stokes)
• Sanicula vulgaris (Fr.)
• Sanicula officinalis (Gouan)
• Sanicula officinarum (Neck.)
• Sanicula sylvatica (Salisb.)
• Sanicula trilobata (Gilib.)
• Sanicula europaea var. genuina (H.Wolff)
• Astrantia diapensia (Scop.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by charlotte Rose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by charlotte Rose (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2019 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 12, 2021 by Piotr Ratajczak (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by charlotte Rose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Simon Allison (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 8, 2014 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2020 by Colette Dorion (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2020 by Katarina Denac (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 29, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Helene SAN CLEMENTE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2020 by annie cipiere (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 20, 2020 by Antoine le Clercq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 20, 2013 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2020 by leigh jo (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/6027128)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:847832-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sanicula europaea L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 3

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 6