Pacific Sanicle (Sanicula crassicaulis), also known as Pacific Blacksnakeroot, can be found along the Pacific coast from southern Alaska to northern California, as well as in the Rocky Mountains and other montane regions. This rugged perennial thrives in a variety of habitats, including coastal forests, riparian areas, shaded slopes, and mountain meadows. The attractive basal rosettes of fleshy compound leaves are rather unique and variable, while the low open stems of small yellow flowers add an interesting structure to the forest understory. Emerging from deep taproots, mature plants are fire resistant to the point of retaining their leaves through exposure to intense flame, simply becoming much more rugose and displaying intense blackish-purple hues in response to the stress.
 
Pacific Sanicle flowers in late spring to early summer, typically May to June. The flowers serve as a nectar source for a range of small woodland pollinators, including bees, butterflies, syrphid flies, and beetles. Anise Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio zelicaon) and at least one moth (Epermenia californica) use Pacific Sanicle as both a nectar and host plant. Colonies of Pacific Sanicle also help to retain soil moisture in dry forests and prevent erosion on slopes. The plant was known for its antiseptic and analgesic properties, and various preparations were used to treat wounds, toothaches, and other ailments within Native communities.
 
Plants prefer seasonally moist, well-drained soils with a loamy or sandy texture. It can adapt to a range of soil pH levels but typically thrives in slightly acidic to neutral conditions. In drier conditions, rosettes will go dormant during the summer. For optimal germination, seeds can be surface sown in the fall or late winter and lightly covered with sand or fine soil. Because seedlings quickly develop a considerable taproot, plants should be established in place or in deep seedling cells or pots.