Based on observations of living plants in the field and examination of herbarium specimens (including type materials), we demonstrate that Sanicula serrata var. serrata (Apiaceae) differs from S. potaninii by having single fruit bearing squamose spines – occasionally tuberculate-spiculate or apically prickly – whereas S. potaninii usually bears three fruits with densely uncinate spines. This morphological distinction is further supported by differences in their biogeographic distributions. In addition, S. tienmuensis, S. elongata, S. tienmuensis var. pauciflora, and S. langaoensis are found to be conspecific with S. serrata, while S. serrata var. uncinata is conspecific with S. potaninii; we therefore reduce these taxa to synonymy accordingly. Lectotypifications are proposed for S. elongata and S. tienmuensis var. pauciflora.