Note from the Author: New wild plant!
Common Name: Black Snakeroot
Other Common Names: Canada Sanicle, Canadian Black Snakeroot
Botanical Family: Apiaceae (The Carrot Family)
Botanical Latin Name: Sanicula canadensis
Description & Habitat:
Black Snakeroot is a native perennial that got the common name ‘Canada Black Snakeroot’ because it was first recorded by European botanists in Canada. This naming feature is reflected in the Latin name where the specific epithet is ‘canadensis’ meaning ‘of Canada’. In the wild this plant is commonly found in Oak-Hickory forests and on wooded slops near streams or rivers. The native range of this plant goes as far as Southern Vermont, into Canada and as southward as Florida and Texas. You can look for it in areas with dappled or partial shade that have moist but well-drained humus-rich soils. It should be noted that the flowers of this plant are not particularly showy as they are tiny and green but the spiky burr-like ovaries are interesting to look at. It is possible for the average viewer to mistake this plant for something like Virginia Creeper or Lady’s Mantle, however note that Black Snakeroot isn’t a vine and forms a loose rosette and individual plants can bet between 8” and 2’ tall. The dried fruits of this plant are burrs and can detach from the plant and stick on clothing, hair or fur.
Special Toxicity Note:
The edibility of this plant is unclear, it is noted that this plant has saponins.
When & What to Harvest:
Supposedly, the young leaves and shoots of this plant can be eaten after boiling in at least two changes of water. However it’s noted the plant is very bitter and the cooking process is not clearly noted anywhere credible.
Related Plants:
There are a number of species of Sanicle, however you are not likely to encounter them as easily as this one in the Sandhills of North Carolina.
Recipe:
There is no clear cooking information for this plant.
Additional Information: (If applicable)
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sanicula-canadensis/
Where to get Seed or Bare Root Plants:
I could not find any reputable seed company selling the seeds or plants for this one.
With all that garden goodness covered this is the part of the blog where I have to advertise for the Fayetteville City Market. Now I know you readers probably don’t much like advertisements, but my booth at the City Market helps to cover the costs of running the test garden and literally maintains the Research & Development budget that is used to bring you the information that has made up the backbone of this blog. In addition to being able to process card payments we now take CashApp payments so your payment options for my product have tripled. With that said; if you want to get some GMO-free, Organic fruit, herbs, flowers and perennials, come on down to the Fayetteville City Market on 325 Maxwell Street in downtown Fayetteville between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Even in bad weather the market goes on though you might have to look for me under the ‘arches’ of the Transportation Museum’s front entryway.
Spring Plants
Basil, Sweet Genovese
Pepper, Ghost (hot!!, 1-1.2 million SHU)
Pepper, Carolina Reaper (hot!!! 1.5-2.2 million SHU)
Tomato, Lemon Cherry
Tomato, Chocolate Cherry
Tomato, Midnight Snack
Tomato, Black Krim
Tomato, Lemon Boy
Summer Plants
Amaranth, tricolor
Anise-Hyssop, Arizona Sandstone
Black Eyed Susan, Denver Daisy
Cotton, Nankeen
Dahlia, Ruby Black Forest
Pumpkin, Blue
Tobacco Flower, Saratoga Purple Bicolor
Garden Supply
Live Mushroom Compost, 1 Gallon
Live Mushroom Compost, 3 Gallon
Plants Coming Soon:
Spineless Prickly Pear (available on 6-20-2026)
-Others TBA-
How to stay in Contact with Us!
All you need to keep up with all our activities is to have a Nextdoor account and to look for the ‘Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’ group and ask to join! You don’t have to live in Fayetteville to join us! Feel free to ask all your garden questions of our knowledgeable membership and post your cool garden pictures.
Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville
Also please take a gander at the YouTube version of this blog:
The Videos: Look Here
>Newest videos (1): Firefly Petunia
With all of the updates, blog posts, community announcements and the main topic handled remember that Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’s meetings are still going on! Our next (unofficial) meeting is May 30th at the Fayetteville City Market at 325 Franklin Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, or at North South Brewing on the same day between 1:00 and 5:00pm.
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