Heracleum sibiricum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pastinaca sibirica
• Heracleum sibiricum f. latifolium
• Heracleum sibiricum subsp. glabrum
• Heracleum sibiricum var. angustifolium
• Heracleum sibiricum f. varbossanium
• Heracleum sibiricum f. angustissimum
• Heracleum sibiricum var. longifolium
• Selinum casparyi
• Heracleum flavescens var. latifolium
• Heracleum sphondylium var. rarum
• Heracleum sphondylium subsp. glabrum
• Heracleum sphondylium subsp. flavescens
• Heracleum lecokii
• Heracleum sphondylium subsp. sibiricum
• Heracleum flavescens
• Heracleum sphondylium f. angustissimum
• Heracleum bifarium
• Heracleum sibiricum proles lecokii
• Heracleum sibiricum subsp. lecokii
• Heracleum sphondylium var. glabrum
• Heracleum sibiricum f. rarum
• Heracleum sibiricum f. angustisectum
• Heracleum sphondylium var. chaetocarpum
• Heracleum sphondylium lusus varbossanium
• Heracleum sphondylium f. involucratum

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Heracleum sibiricum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Apiales. Finally, it is classified under the family Apiaceae and the genus Heracleum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Heracleum sibiricum, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several Northern European territories. It can be found growing within the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain. The species also occupies significant portions of the Scandinavian Peninsula, specifically in Norway and Sweden. Together, these locations define its documented range within the Northern European region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Heracleum sibiriacum is characterized by its preference for moist, temperate environments where it can establish itself within diverse landscapes. It is commonly found inhabiting meadows, riverbanks, and shrubberies, where the soil moisture and light availability are conducive to its growth. By occupying these specific niches, the plant thrives in transitional zones between open grasslands and denser vegetation, often benefiting from the nutrient-rich soils associated with riparian corridors and meadow ecosystems.

Habitat :

meadows, rivers, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Heracleum sibiricum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, typically protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable conditions. This biological strategy enables the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations and re-emerge from its underground structures to complete its reproductive cycle over several years.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Heracleum sibiricum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior, such as a liana or vine, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial lifestyle. The plant typically grows in terrestrial habitats, though it can inhabit environments ranging from aquatic to semiaquatic conditions. In terms of stature, it reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Heracleum sibiricum is characterized by its metabolic and structural adaptations to its environment, specifically utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway. This carbon fixation mechanism involves the direct fixation of CO2 via the enzyme RuBisCO, which is typical for many temperate herbaceous perennials. In terms of its leaf morphology and resource allocation, the plant exhibits a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a mean value of 159 cm²/g. This moderate SLA value suggests a physiological balance between leaf thickness and surface area, optimizing the plant's ability to intercept light while managing water loss and nutrient investment within its native habitats.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

159 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Heracleum sibiricum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and specialized seed dispersal mechanisms. The plant enters its flowering phase in July and continues through August, representing a concentrated period of reproductive activity. Following fertilization, the plant produces seeds with a mean mass of approximately 0.006266 g. The dispersal of these seeds is primarily categorized by a hydrochorous syndrome, indicating that water serves as a key medium for transporting the progeny to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Seed mass mean:

0.006266 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Heracleum sibiricum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Heracleum sibiricum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Bergapten, Furanocoumarins, pimpinellin.

Bergapten

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Furanocoumarins

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

pimpinellin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Conditions

Heracleum sibiricum has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's Disease, food contamination, foodborne diseases.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Food contamination

1. Food & function

Foodborne diseases

1. Food & function

Preparations

Heracleum sibiricum has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extracts from fruits.

Ethanol extracts from fruits

1. Fitoterapia