Maryland sanicle, Maryland black snakeroot, Black sanicle, Butterwort

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 7 min read
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Article Summary

Sanicle, of the Parsley family, is an indigenous perennial common to the United States and Canada. The fibrous root is aromatic in taste and odour, with a smooth reddish furrowed stem, 1–3 ft. high. The leaves are digitate, mostly radical and on petioles, 6–12 in. long, nearly 3 in. across, glossy green above, less colour underneath. Leaves have deeply incised lobes radiating from the same...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Maryland Sanicle Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
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Definition

Sanicle, of the Parsley family, is an indigenous perennial common to the United States and Canada. The fibrous root is aromatic in taste and odour, with a smooth reddish furrowed stem, 1–3 ft. high. The leaves are digitate, mostly radical and on petioles, 6–12 in. long, nearly 3 in. across, glossy green above, less colour underneath. Leaves have deeply incised lobes radiating from the same point. Each leaf has no set number of leaflets 5 to 7. The plant is not that tall but the fruiting stalk rises to 2 feet and bears green diminutive flowers in spring. The flowers bloom in June and July, and they are mostly barren white, sometimes yellowish, fertile ones sessile.

Flower

Small clusters (umbels) at the ends of branching stems, made up of 2 to 4 small round clusters (umbellets) about ½ inch across and consisting of 20 to 60 flowers each. Flowers are either male or perfect (both male and female parts), with both present in some umbellets and others all male. Flowers are greenish-white with 5 petals longer than the sepals, and protruding stamens with greenish-white tips that turn brown with age. Perfect flowers are nearly stalkless, have a small covered in hooked bristles, and 2 long spreading styles that are much longer than the bristles. The styles persist and become arching as the flower matures.

Facts About Maryland Sanicle

Name Maryland Sanicle
Scientific Name Sanicula marilandica
Common/English Name Black Snakeroot, American Sanicle, Pool Root, Wood Sanicle,
Maryland sanicle, Maryland black snakeroot, Black sanicle, Butterwort
Name in Other Languages English: Maryland sanicle, Black snakeroot, Maryland black-snakeroot;

French: Sanicle du Maryland
Plant Growth Habit Plant Growth Habit
Plant Growth Habit 7.5 dm (29 in.)
Stem Solitary, erect 4-12 dm tall
Medicinal parts The root and leaves
Flowering Season June to mid August
Flower Ovoid schizocarp, 4-6 × 3-5 mm, compressed
Fruit shape & size Oval, dry, with hooked, stout

Maryland Sanicle Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Sanicula marilandica

Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom Viridiplantae  (Green plants)
Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (Land plants)
Superdivision Embryophyta
Division Tracheophyta  (Vascular plants, tracheophytes)
Class Magnoliopsida
Subclass Rosidae
Order Apiales
Family Apiaceae
Genus Sanicula L. (Sanicle)
Species Sanicula marilandica L. (Black sanicle, Maryland black-snakeroot, Maryland sanicle)
Synonyms
  • Caucalis marilandica (L.) Crantz
  • Sanicula marilandica var. borealis Fernald
  • Sanicula marilandica var. marilandica
  • Sanicula marilandica var. petiolulata Fernald
  • Triclinium marilandica (L.) Rafin.

Leaves and stems

Leaves are basal and alternate on the stem, palmately compound having 5 or 7 leaflets or 5 leaflets with end pair deeply cleft. Leaflets measures 6 inches long to 2 inches wide, coarsely toothed or double toothed, hairless and wedge shaped at the base and usually widest above the middle. Basal and lower stem leaves are long stalked, stalkless or nearly so in the upper plant. Stems are hairless, erect and branched in the upper plant.

Fruit

Fruit is dry, round to somewhat oval about 1/6 inch long covered in hooked bristles. Long arching style remains at the tip. The fruit is dry, round to somewhat oval, about 1/6 inch long and covered in hooked bristles. The long arching style remains at the tip. The fruit splits into 2 seeds.

Medicinal uses

  • Used by the Indians in intermittent fevers and for treating a variety of skin conditions.
  • The action upon the system very much resembles Valerian, possessing (besides the previously mentioned) nervine and anodyne properties.
  • It possesses powerful cleansing and healing virtues, both internally and externally.
  • It heals, stops bleeding, diminishes tumours, whether of a recent or long-standing nature.
  • The properties when administered seem to seek the ailment most in distress, be it of the , lungs, intestines or tract, reproductive organs.
  • Its qualifications are many as a cleansing and healing herb, both of man or animal.
  • For throat discomforts, gargle a strong tea with honey as often as necessary.
  • The fresh juice can be given in tablespoonful doses in treatment of dysentery, and strong decoction of the leaves made by boiling 1 oz. of the leaves in 1½ pints of water, reduced to 1 pint, can be taken constantly in wineglass doses till haemorrhage ceases.
  • Root acts as expectorant, nervine and astringent.
  • Tea made from thick root is used for treating menstrual irregularities, ailments, , fevers and rheumatism.
  • Root decoction is used to cause to neutralize poison.
  • Root powder is also used for treating intermittent and chorea.
  • Apply the poultice made from roots for snakebites.

Dose

1 teaspoonful of the root or leaves, cut small or crushed, to 1 cupful of boiling water. Take 1 cupful ½ hr. before meals. If haemorrhaging, it is best to refrain from food until bleeding stops. Of the tincture, I5–30 drops. Of the powder, 1 dram.

Externally

For cutaneous or subcutaneous skin conditions, chapped hands or bleeding skin ulcerations use a fresh preparation daily for conditions until they improve. Internally and externally, can be combined with other supporting herbs.

Homoeopathic

, , Bee stings, Boils (blind), Borborygmus, (soreness of), Condylomata, Conjunctivitis, (of children), (ulceration of), Coryza, , Dandruff, Debility, , , Digestion (slow), Dropsy (during pregnancy), , Emaciation, Enuresis, Excoriations, Foot sweat, , Gum (suppressed), , Leucorrhoea, (soreness of), Lumbago, Melancholy, Milk (thin), Mouth (sore), , Neurasthenia, Night terrors, Nose (crusts in), Ophthalmia (tarsi), Os utteri (dilated), Ossification (too early), Ozaena, Perspiration (excessive), Potbellied children, Pregnancy (sickness af; dropsy of), ( in), Rheumatism, Rickets, Scurvy, Sea sickness, Shoulders (rheumatism of), Throat (sore), Tongue (ringworm of; burning), Toothache, (prolapse of; soreness of; of), Vomiting (of milk; of water), Wrist (boils on).

 


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Doctor visit helper

Prepare before seeing a doctor

A simple rural-patient checklist to help you explain symptoms clearly, ask better questions, and avoid unsafe self-treatment.

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
  • Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
  • Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
  • How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
  • When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

  • Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
  • Basic physical examination by a clinician
  • CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

  • Avoid heavy lifting, sudden bending, and prolonged bed rest.
  • Use comfortable posture and gentle movement as tolerated.
  • Discuss physiotherapy, X-ray, or MRI only when clinically needed.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
  • Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Medicine doctor / pediatrician for children / qualified clinician
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Temperature chart and hydration assessment
  • CBC with platelet count if fever persists or dengue/other infection is possible
  • Urine test, malaria/dengue tests, chest evaluation, or blood culture only when clinically indicated
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
  • Do I need antibiotics, or is this more likely viral?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Maryland sanicle, Maryland black snakeroot, Black sanicle, Butterwort

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.