Sanicula europaeaL. Sanicle

Sanicula europaeaL. - Sanicle

Scientific Description:

Stem smooth or sulcate, 15−60 cm. Basal leaves 2−9 × 3−12 cm, 3−5-partite, segments cuneate, entire or ternately lobed, margin irregularly serrate, teeth spinulose, petiole much longer than blade. Floral leaves 2−3-ternate with lanceolate, usually toothed segments 0.5−1 cm. Primary rays 2−4, ± equal, (1−)2−4 cm. Secondary rays 3, unequal, 0.5−1 cm. Bracts 3−5, similar to but smaller than floral leaves. Bracteoles 6−8, entire, ovate, c. 1 mm. Umbellule with 2−3 inner hermaphrodite sessile flowers, and numerous outer male flowers, shortly pedicellate. Fruit c. 2.5 × 2.5 mm.

 

Flowering time: May−August.

Habitat: Forests and shaded areas, s.l.−2200 m.

 

Reference:
Hedge IC & Lamond JM (1972). Sanicula europaea L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinurgh, 4: 289.

Public Description:

Sanicula europaea, known as “sanicle” or “wood sanicle”, is native to North and West Europe to Mediterranean region, Caucasus, West Siberia, North Iran, India, Malaysia, Tropical and South Africa. It is a perennial herb with umbel-like white flowers and grows up to 60 cm in length. It blooms between May and August and is found in forests and shaded areas. The fruits which easily attach to clothing or animal fur and are thus easily distributed. It was used in Europe for healing wounds and cleaning. In the traditional Austrian medicine, its roots have been used for treatment of disorders of the skin, respiratory tract, locomotor system, gastrointestinal tract. It contains saponins which shows activity of antibacterial, antifungal and haemolytic. Sanicle has also anti-influenza A properties.

 

References:

Anonymous (2015). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanicula_europaea, Accessed date: 21.12.2015.

Turan K, Özbaş Turan S, Kuru A (1999). Sanicula europaea L. Rizomlarından Hazırlanan Sulu Ekstraktların Anti-İnfluenza Virus Aktivitesi. Tr. J. of Biology

23: 369–376.

Menemen Y (2012). Sanicula L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 77.