Sanicula laciniata is distributed in California and southern Oregon in the USA. Typical habitats of occurrence are coastal mountain ranges, open or brushy slopes and mixed oak woodland; elevations of occurrence are between thirty to 900 meters.

Also know by its common name, Coastal blacksnakeroot, this species sports a taproot and rises on a slender stem to 30 centimeters in height. Fruits are two to four millimeters across, and range from ovate to nearly spherical.