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Bupleurum falcatum - L.

Common Name Thorow-Wax
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste places and hedgebanks[17].
Range Scattered throughout Europe, including Britain, and Asia north to the subarctic, east to Japan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Bupleurum falcatum Thorow-Wax


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fornax
Bupleurum falcatum Thorow-Wax
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fornax

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Bupleurum falcatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

B. chinense. D.C.

Plant Habitats

 Hedgerow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses: Rutin

Leaves and young shoots - cooked[2, 105, 177].The new growth in spring and autumn is used[178, 179]. It is a good source of rutin[179].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Alterative  Analgesic  Antibacterial  Antiinflammatory  Antiperiodic  Antipyretic  Antiviral  Carminative  
Diaphoretic  Emmenagogue  Haemolytic  Hepatic  Malaria  Pectoral  Poultice  
Sedative

A paste of the plant is applied to boils[272]. The juice of the roots, mixed with the juice of Centella asiatica, is used in the treatment of liver diseases[272]. This species is closely related to B. chinense and quite possibly has the same uses. It is certainly worthy of some research. The uses of B. chinense are as follows:- Bei chai hu root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for at least 2,000 years[238]. It is a bitter herb that is used to harmonize the body, balancing the different organs and energies within the body[254]. It strengthens the digestive tract, acts as a tonic for the liver and circulatory system, lowers fevers and has anti-viral effects[238]. The root is alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, antipyretic, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, haemolytic, hepatic, pectoral, sedative[116, 147, 174. 176, 178, 218, 238, 254]. It is taken internally in the treatment of malaria, blackwater fever, uterine and rectal prolapse, haemorrhoids, sluggish liver, menstrual disorders, abdominal bloating etc[238]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[238]. The root contains saikosides[254]. These saponin-like substances have been shown to protect the liver from toxicity whilst also strengthening its function, even in people with immune system disorders[254]. These saikosides also stimulate the body's production of corticosteroids and increase their anti-inflammatory affect[254]. The plant is often used in preparations with other herbs to treat the side effects of steroids[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fuel

The old plant is used as a fuel[178, 179].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily cultivated plant[1], it succeeds in a sunny position in most fertile well-drained soils[138, 233, 238].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 8 weeks at 15°c[138]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer or following spring. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be planted direct into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are well rooted before planting them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Egypt (Sinai), Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Azerbaijan EUROPE: United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation-European part (European part (south)), Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Bupleurum chinenseBei Chai HuPerennial1.0 3-7  LMHSNDM231
Bupleurum fruticosumShrubby Hare's EarShrub2.5 6-9 SLMSNDM003
Bupleurum longiradiatum Perennial1.0 -  LMHNM12 
Bupleurum octoradiatum Perennial0.8 -  LMHSNM111
Bupleurum rotundifoliumHare's EarAnnual0.4 5-9  LMNDM100

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Wed Mar 11 2009

Plants found growing wild in the United Kingdom must not be picked or otherwise interfered with. It is a protected plant and on our Red Book list.

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