Sanicula bipinnatifida occurs in the far west of North America from British Columbia south through Washington, Oregon, California and Baja California. This species is exhibited in numerous habitats such as grassland, open woodlands, pine/oak woodland and slopes with serpentine soils.

Also called Purple sanicle, this perennial herb arises from a tuber and may reach a height of 60 centimeters. Miwok peoples used the plant prehistorically as a snakebite remedy.