Anicula crassicaulis is a taprooted perennial which grows to be 25-120 cm tall. It has alternate leaves which are palmate with 3-5 lobes. The lobes are sharply toothed. It produces small compact clusters of 8-13 small yellow flowers at the end of long stems, and blooms April through June.
Apparently the plant was never eaten as it was believed to be poisonous. Pacific sanicle (Sanicula crassicaulis) is a native perennial related to carrots and celery. It is an inconspicuous plant that might at first glance be mistaken for a small mustard. Tiny yellow flowers are born in small, spherical clusters at the ends of long, branching stems.