Bupleurum fruticosum L. Shrubby Hare’s Ear
NOMENCLATURE
Bupleurum: see B. baldense.
fruticosum: shrubby (frutex, icis : shrub)
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE: glabrous, evergreen shrub. N. STEMS: solid, smooth. Young purplish. HEIGHT: 250cm.
LEAVES: 9cm, simple, oblanceolate to oblong ovate mucronate, pale beneath, sessile,
cartilaginous margin, stout midrib, numerous slender pinnate veins, close reticulum of
fine veins between. Cotyledons narrowed at base, no petiole.
UMBELS: 7-10 cm diam. Compound, 3-25 subequal smooth rays 2cm
long. Peduncle > than rays, slender Hermaphrodite.
BRACTS: 5-6 decidious, ovate to obovate, 5-7 longtitudinal veins + cross
veins. Bracteoles 5-6 decidious, obovate, 4-7 veined.
FLOWERS: yellow. Styles form stylopodium. Fl.7-8.
FRUIT : 7mm, oblong-elliptical. Compressed laterally, smooth. Commisure broad. Mericarp
with, slender, prominent, narrowly winged ridges Carpophore present. Pedicels 5mm.
Styles 0.3mm, divergent. Stigma truncate. 2n=14.
DISTRIBUTION: grown for ornament. Naturalised in Malvern Hills,
Kent & Devon, Worcester. Native to S. Europe & N.W. Africa.
GARDEN USES: Sow seeds in autumn/spring. Take cuttings in Sept., place in warm frame.
