Sanicula marilandica

Snakeroot

Single Mericarp

Moose Mountain Provincial Park
22-Aug-2009

The fruit of this species is a schizocarp.  This type of fruit splits into sub-fruits called mericarps.  The schizocarp of this species splits into two, single-seeded mericarps.  The face by which the two mericarps are joined together in the schizocarp is called the commissure.  Note the persistent calyx lobes.

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Sanicula: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora (BF)  and Flora of Alberta (FOA) leading to this genus. 
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NOT [plants with a bluish tinge; flowers in dense globose heads; bracts spiny] (FOA)

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foliage NOT spiny

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leaves palmate with 5-7 large leaflets; NOT [leaves pinnate, trifoliate, or simple]

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plants LACKING axillary bulblets

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inflorescence NOT bluish

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fruit covered with short, hooked spines

 

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Umbelliferae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora leading to this family.
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herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]

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plants terrestrial or semiaquatic; NOT [plants aquatic, leaves submerged or floating]

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plants NOT with colored milky juice

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stems hollow

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plants with more than one normal leaf

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some or all leaves alternate; NOT [leaves opposite, whorled, or basal]

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leaves without stipules, or having glands; NOT [leaves with stipules]

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flowers in umbels

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flowers with two floral rings, and with each petal distinct from the others

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parts of flowers mostly in fives; NOT [parts of flowers in twos or fours]

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calyx regular; NOT [calyx irregular, some sepals smaller than others]

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stamens 10 or fewer; NOT [stamens usually more than 10]

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styles 2; NOT [styles 5]

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ovary inferior; NOT [ovary superior]