hare's ear

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hare's ear
• round-leaved thoroughwax
• Thorow-Wax
• hare's-ear
• thoroughwax
• throw-wax

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Perfoliata rotundifolia
• Diatropa rotundifolia
• Selinum perfoliatum
• Perfolisa obtusifolia
• Bupleurum rotundifolium var. alpinum
• Bupleurum rotundifolium f. oblongum
• Bupleurum perfoliatum var. rotundifolium
• Tenoria rotundifolia
• Bupleurum rotundifolium var. petiolatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is classified under the family Apiaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Bupleurum, of which Bupleurum rotundifolium is a member.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Denmark and Great Britain. Its presence extends further north into the territories of Norway and Sweden. Additionally, the species is documented within the central reaches of the continent. Specifically, its geographical range includes the country of Austria in Middle Europe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bupleurum rotundifolium is characterized by its preference for disturbed or open environments, frequently colonizing anthropogenic landscapes such as crop fields and old fields. These habitats provide the necessary light and soil conditions for its growth patterns. Furthermore, the species exhibits a significant altitudinal distribution, with a mean elevational range of approximately 2200 m AMSL, indicating its ability to adapt to varying mountainous or highland ecological zones.

Elevational range mean:

2200 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, old fields

Life history

The life history of Bupleurum rotundifolium is characterized by its status as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it maintains its survival strategy by producing seeds that remain dormant until the following season, avoiding the stresses of unfavorable environmental conditions through this ephemeral life cycle. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it transitions through its life stages. This specific life form ensures that the organism focuses its energy on rapid growth, flowering, and seed production, rather than maintaining permanent above-ground vegetative structures.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Bupleurum rotundifolium is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This self-supporting plant grows in a terrestrial habitat and functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.8 m, with an average height of approximately 0.3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bupleurum rotundifolium is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates carbon fixation through the Calvin cycle under standard environmental conditions. The plant is non-carnivorous, relying entirely on its root system and soil nutrients rather than capturing prey for sustenance. Morphologically, its leaves exhibit a mean size of approximately 28.35833 cm², contributing to its overall canopy structure. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 290 cm²/g, a metric that reflects its leaf thickness and resource allocation strategy regarding light interception and photosynthetic efficiency.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

28.35833 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

290 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bupleurum rotundifolium is primarily a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent in this species. The flowering period typically begins in June and extends through July. During this stage, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive success is tied to these insect interactions. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces seeds with a highly specific mass profile; the average seed mass is approximately 0.0030338335 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.00157 g to a maximum of 0.00328 g. Following seed maturation, the dispersal syndrome is classified as anthropochorous, indicating that the seeds are spread via human activity.

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00328 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0030338335 g

Seed mass min:

0.00157 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bupleurum rotundifolium has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Rotundioside C, Rotundioside E, Rotundioside F.

Rotundioside C

1. Life sciences

Rotundioside E

1. Life sciences

Rotundioside F

1. Life sciences

Preparations

Bupleurum rotundifolium has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extract.

Methanolic extract

1. Life sciences