Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Apiales - Family: Apiaceae
This perennial plant has several common names including Broad-leaved Sanicle, Hacquetia, Dwarf Masterwort, and Shady Daisy (although it is not a member of the daisy family!).
Sanicula epipactis, until recently recorded by most botanists as Hacquetia epipactis, is a low-growing plant with a creeping habit. The plants can grow to a height of 30cm, but 20cm is more typical. Its basal leaves are somewhat rounded and the tiny yellow flowers form an umbel in the centre of a ring of bright green bracts that look very much like petals.
The native range of this plant in Europe is Austria, Poland and Slovenia.
This surprising and delightful little wildflower grows in damp, subalpine open deciduous woodlands where it is in partial shade only.
Broad-leaved Sanicula usually flowers between April and July.