Footsteps Of Spring
Sanicula arctopoides
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Franco Folini (www.flickr.com) from San Francisco, USA




Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Genus:
- Sanicula
- Species:
- Sanicula arctopoides
- USDA Symbol:
- SAAR9
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agonopterix oregonensis
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, flies, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal bluffs and open grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification. Germination may be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Warm treatment followed by a cold treatment to break dormancy. Improved if there is a period of warmth before the cold treatment.
Establishment: This plant is found growing in California, Washington and Oregon as well as far western Canada specifically in coastal bluffs and lowland areas.
Source: npn.rngr.net