Bupleurum rockii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bupleurum handelii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Apiales and the family Apiaceae. Ultimately, it is categorized under the genus Bupleurum as Bupleurum rockii.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily native to specific regions within the country of China. Its natural habitat is concentrated in the South-Central part of the nation. Within this geographical area, it thrives in local ecosystems that support its growth. The distribution is relatively localized rather than being spread across the entire continent. Therefore, collectors and researchers often focus their efforts on the South-Central Chinese provinces to find it.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bupleurum rockii is characterized by its adaptation to high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a specific vertical distribution. This species is typically found across a broad altitudinal gradient, occupying niches that range from a minimum elevation of 1,950 m AMSL to a maximum peak of 4,200 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 3,075 m AMSL, indicating a strong preference for mid-to-high mountain ecosystems. This distribution suggests an ability to withstand the unique environmental pressures associated with alpine and subalpine zones, such as intense solar radiation, fluctuating temperatures, and thinner atmospheric conditions.

Elevational range max:

4200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3075 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1950 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Bupleurum rockii is characterized by its nature as a perennial herb, a life cycle that allows the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, it undergoes a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and seasonal dormancy, enabling it to establish a robust root system over time. This longevity is a key aspect of its survival strategy, as it can re-emerge from its perennial base following periods of environmental stress or seasonal changes. Unlike strictly annual or biennial species, the variable nature of its lifecycle within the perennial framework allows it to adapt its growth patterns to specific ecological conditions, ensuring its long-term presence in its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bupleurum rockii is characterized by its stature, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.6 m to a maximum of 1 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.8 m.

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.8 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bupleurum rockii culminates in the development of its fruit, which exhibits specific morphological dimensions essential for its identification. The fruits are characterized by a varied size range, with lengths typically measuring between a minimum of 0.4 cm and a maximum of 0.5 cm, maintaining an average length of 0.45 cm. In terms of width, the fruit shows significant variability, ranging from a minimum of 0.22 cm to a maximum of 2.6 cm, with a mean width of approximately 1.41 cm. These dimensional parameters define the physical structure of the reproductive output of the plant.

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.45 cm

Fruit length min:

0.4 cm

Fruit width max:

2.6 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.41 cm

Fruit width min:

0.22 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bupleurum rockii has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin.

quercetin

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