This biennial occurs in east-central states, and is largely restricted to relatively deep woods on mesic fertile soils. In contrast to other eastern species of Sanicula, trifoliata has staminate flowers on longer pedicels (ca. 3-8 mm versus 0.5-3 mm); and it has larger fruit (ca. 6-8 mm long versus 3-6 mm), including calyx lobes that are connivent into a 2-2.5 mm beak (Cr, W).