Purple-flowered sanicle
Sanicula rubriflora
Family: Apiaceae
What it is like
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.
Where it is found
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.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia
How it is used for food
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.
Edible parts
Leaves