Red Thorowax

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Red Thorowax

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bupleurum falcatum subf. longipedunculatum
• Bupleurum falcatum var. scorzonerifolium
• Bupleurum falcatum subsp. scorzonerifolium
• Bupleurum falcatum f. scorzonerifolium
• Bupleurum falcatum var. komarovii
• Bupleurum falcatum subf. latum
• Bupleurum falcatum var. longipedunculatum
• Bupleurum scorzonerifolium var. obvallatum
• Bupleurum scorzonerifolium f. longiradiatum
• Bupleurum falcatum f. obvallatum
• Bupleurum scorzonerifolium f. pauciflorum
• Bupleurum sinensium
• Bupleurum scorzonerifolium f. latum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and order Apiales, it is a member of the family Apiaceae. Ultimately, it is categorized under the genus Bupleurum as Bupleurum scorzonerifolium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within several key regions of Siberia. It can be found growing in the Altai mountain area. Furthermore, the species is documented across the Buryatiya region. Its presence extends into the territory of Chita as well. Finally, the plant is distributed through the Irkutsk and Krasnoyarsk regions.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium is characterized by its adaptability to diverse landscapes, ranging from cut-over forests and forest edges to open meadows, shrubberies, and steppe environments. It thrives in varied conditions including both dry and mountainous terrains. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide vertical niche that begins at low elevations of approximately 160 m AMSL and extends to high-altitude regions reaching a maximum of 2250 m AMSL. On average, the plant is found at a mean elevation of 1205 m AMSL, reflecting its ability to persist across a significant gradient of montane and sub-montane ecological zones.

Elevational range max:

2250 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1205 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

160 m AMSL

Habitat :

cut-over forest, forest edges, meadows: dry, mountains, shrubberies, steppe

Life history

The life history of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it completes its life cycle over several years rather than within a single growing season. As a perennial species, it maintains a persistent root system that allows it to survive through dormant periods, enabling the plant to regrow and undergo successive reproductive cycles. This long-lived growth habit facilitates its ability to establish itself within its ecological niche, where it undergoes seasonal cycles of vegetative growth followed by flowering and seed production.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. This terrestrial plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber, liana, or vine, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.8 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.45 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:

0.45 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure features linear-shaped leaves with entire margins, lacking any defensive leaf thorns or spines. Morphologically, the leaves exhibit significant variation in size, with a mean length of 11 cm and a range spanning from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 16 cm. The leaf width is similarly variable, maintaining a mean of 0.45 cm, while individual leaf widths fluctuate between a minimum of 0.2 cm and a maximum of 0.7 cm.

Leaf form :

linear

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length mean:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

0.7 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.45 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period and the production of minute fruit structures. The plant enters its flowering phase in July and concludes this reproductive stage in August. Following pollination, it develops small fruits that exhibit highly consistent dimensions; the fruit length maintains a steady measurement of 0.25 cm, with both the minimum, maximum, and mean values remaining constant at this size. Similarly, the fruit width is uniform, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum and mean of 0.2 cm, ensuring a standardized seed-bearing structure throughout the fruiting period.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit width max:

0.2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bupleurum scorzonerifolium has 1 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.

Root

1. Phytochemistry
2. Physiologia plantarum
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Frontiers in plant science
5. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Chemicals

Bupleurum scorzonerifolium has 29 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Saikosaponins, Flavonoids, Saikosaponin D, CALCIUM, CHLOROGENIC ACID.

Saikosaponins

1. Phytochemistry
2. Chinese herbal medicines
3. Biology
4. Frontiers in genetics
5. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Physiologia plantarum
2. Scientific reports
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Saikosaponin D

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
3. Botanical studies

CALCIUM

1. Biology

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

COPPER

1. Biology

Copper phthalocyanine

1. Biology

D-glucose

1. Biology

Fatty acids

1. Frontiers in plant science

IRON

1. Biology

Activities

Bupleurum scorzonerifolium has 9 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antipyretic, Antiviral, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antidepressant.

Antipyretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidepressant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antitumor

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Neuroprotective

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Bupleurum scorzonerifolium has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include fever, inflammation, cold, depression, diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations