Peucedanum cervaria

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ligusticum cervaria
• Cervaria glauca var. maxima
• Selinum glaucum
• Selinum imperatorioides
• Athamanta latifolia
• Peucedanum glaucifolium
• Peucedanum crassifolium
• Oreoselinum elaphoboscum
• Cervaria glauca
• Cervaria laevis
• Cervaria rigida
• Oreoselis cervaria
• Cervaria rivini
• Cervaria nigra
• Athamanta cervaria
• Cervaria rivini var. latifolia
• Selinum cervaria
• Selinum spinulifolia
• Peucedanum cervaria var. cuspidatum
• Peucedanum cervaria subvar. cuspidatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Apiales, specifically within the family Apiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Peucedanum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout several regions of Middle Europe. It can be found growing in the nation of Austria. Its presence extends to Belgium, marking a significant part of its range. The species is also documented within the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Finally, its geographical footprint includes Germany and Hungary.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Peucedanum cervaria is defined by its preference for specialized, high-altitude environments characterized by rugged terrain and specific geological substrates. It primarily inhabits mountainous regions where it thrives within cut-over forest landscapes and amidst dense shrubberies. A critical component of its ecological niche is its association with limestone substrates, which provide the specific mineral composition and drainage properties required for its growth. These habitats, often located in transitional zones between forested areas and open mountain slopes, offer the unique combination of light availability and soil chemistry essential for the plant's survival in these complex montane ecosystems.

Habitat :

cut-over forest, limestone, mountains, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Peucedanum cervaria is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable periods. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle to manage environmental stresses.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Peucedanum cervaria is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, functioning as both a herb and a forb. This terrestrial plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana, and it grows independently without any parasitic or epiphytic behavior. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small plant with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.375 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.375 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Peucedanum cervaria is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a mean leaf size of 288.815 cm², reflecting its morphological investment in light interception and gas exchange surface area. This leaf area is closely associated with a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 105.6 cm²/g, a metric that provides insight into its leaf thickness and resource allocation strategies regarding biomass density and photosynthetic capacity.

Leaf size mean:

288.815 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

105.6 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Peucedanum cervaria is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and a biotic pollination strategy. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in August. During this time, 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 relatively small mass, ranging from a minimum of approximately 0.003241 g to a maximum of 0.00488 g, with a mean seed mass of roughly 0.004492 g. Following maturation, the seeds are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, meaning they are primarily spread by the action of the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00488 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0044918335 g

Seed mass min:

0.003241 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Peucedanum cervaria has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of separation science
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Peucedanum cervaria has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ALPHA-PINENE, BETA-PINENE, Fatty acids, Germacrene D, Oxypeucedanin.

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

BETA-PINENE

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Fatty acids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Germacrene D

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Oxypeucedanin

1. Journal of separation science

beta-Myrcene

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

linoleic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

oleic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Conditions

Peucedanum cervaria has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Gram-positive bacteria, infectious diseases.

Gram-positive bacteria

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Infectious diseases

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Preparations

Peucedanum cervaria has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include fruit extract, hexane fruits extracts.

Fruit extract

1. Journal of separation science

Hexane fruits extracts

1. Chemistry & biodiversity