Sickle-Leaved Hare's-Ear

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sickle-Leaved Hare's-Ear
• sickle-leaf hare's-ear

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Apiales and is a member of the family Apiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Bupleurum and the species falcatum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found inhabiting the landscapes of Austria and Belgium. The species also extends its range through the territories of Czechia-Slovakia. Finally, its distribution continues across the central regions of Germany.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bupleurum falcatum is defined by its preference for montane environments, where it thrives across a specific vertical distribution. It is typically found within an elevational range spanning from 1000 m to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Within these altitudinal belts, the species colonizes diverse ecological niches, specifically establishing itself in forests, mountain regions, and shrubberies. These habitats provide the necessary structural complexity and environmental conditions required for its growth and persistence in the wild.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, mountains, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Bupleurum falcatum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennable buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable conditions. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its growth cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bupleurum falcatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as a self-supporting, independent organism, meaning it does not act as a climber, parasite, or epiphyte, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat. The plant exhibits a variable height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1 m, with an average height of approximately 0.775 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.775 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bupleurum falcatum is characterized by a fundamental metabolic framework defined by its photosynthetic pathway, which functions exclusively via the C3 mechanism. In this C3 pathway, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide occurs through the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by the enzyme RuBisCO, resulting in the immediate formation of a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. This metabolic process dictates the plant's gas exchange patterns and water-use efficiency, as it lacks the specialized concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species, making its carbon assimilation highly dependent on ambient temperature and moisture availability. The efficiency of this C3 cycle influences the plant's overall energy budget, driving the synthesis of secondary metabolites and supporting the physiological processes required for growth and reproduction within its ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bupleurum falcatum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and diverse biological mechanisms. The flowering period typically commences in July and extends through October. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. While the species is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive success is supported by these insect interactions. The resulting seeds are notably small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.003788889 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00232 g to a maximum of 0.00597 g. Following maturation, the dispersal of these seeds is primarily anemochorous, meaning they are dispersed by the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00597 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003788889 g

Seed mass min:

0.00232 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bupleurum falcatum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, fruit.

Root

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Phytochemistry
3. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
4. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Fruit

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Bupleurum falcatum has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Saikosaponin D, Saikosaponin A, 4''-O-Acetylsaikosaponin d, ARA, BA.

Saikosaponin D

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Phytochemistry
3. Chemico-biological interactions
4. International journal of molecular sciences
5. Journal of cellular biochemistry

Saikosaponin A

1. Phytochemistry
2. Natural product research
3. Neuroscience letters

4''-O-Acetylsaikosaponin d

1. Phytochemistry

ARA

1. Carbohydrate research

BA

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

FUC

1. Carbohydrate research

GA3

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

GAL

1. Carbohydrate research

GALA

1. Carbohydrate research

GLCa

1. Carbohydrate research

Activities

Bupleurum falcatum has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antiulcer.

Analgesic

1. Natural product research

Anticancer

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antioxidant

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Antiulcer

1. Carbohydrate research

Medicinal Uses

Bupleurum falcatum has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus flavus, cold, lipid peroxidation, liver cirrhosis, liver diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations