Sanicula purpurea is a rare species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by the common names purple-flower black-snakeroot and purple-flowered sanicle. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known from Maui and from the Koolau Mountains on the island of Oahu. It is threatened by the degradation of its habitat. It was federally listed as endangered species of the United States in 1996. This plant grows in boggy habitat among other plants such as Argyroxiphium grayanum and Oreobolus furcatus.