Bupleurum subovatum (Link ex Sprengel)
False Thorow Wax
NOMENCLATURE
Bupleurum: see B. baldense.
subovatum: not eggshaped, ref. to leaves.
Thorow-wax: see. B. rotundifoliurn.
PREVIOUS NAMES: B. lancifolium auct., non Hornem.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE: erect glabourous, glaucous annual. STEMS: hollow smooth, purple tinged. H: 30cm.
UMBELS: 2-3 smooth, subequal rays & peduncles 1cm. Terminal & lateral hermaphrodite.
LEAVES: 2-5cm, simple, eliptic-ovate, x 3 as long as wide, apiculate, cartilaginous
margin, perfoliate. Veins numerous, slender, radiating from base, anastomosing near
margin, connected by slender cross-veins.
BRACTS: absent. Bracteoles 5, 5-12 mm, unequal, oblancolate to ovate, acuminate, patent
in flower, connivent in fruit, shortly connate at base, venation similar to that of the
leaf. Cotyledons : tapered at base, without petiole.
FLOWERS: yellow, hermaph sepals styles form a stylopodium. Fl.6-10.
FRUIT: 4-4.5mm, strongly tuberculate, tubercules develop after flring, and grow as fruit
matures. Pruinose, laterally compressed. Commisure broad. Mericarps with slender,
prominent ridges. Carpophore present. Vittae small. Pedicels 1 mm. Styles 0.2-0.3mm,
< than stylopodiurn, stigma truncate. 2n=16.
HABITAT: casual in gardens, disturbed ground.
DISTRIBUTION: herbarium escape 1870, then introduced 1950s with
bird seed, chicken feed. Native to S. Europe, C. Asia, N.W. Africa.