Flowering Months:
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Family:
Apiaceae (Carrot)
Also in this family:
Alexanders, Bladder-seed, Bur Chervil, Burnet-saxifrage, Cambridge Milk Parsley, Caraway, Common Hogweed, Coriander, Corky-fruited Water Dropwort, Corn Parsley, Cow Parsley, Cowbane, Creeping Marshwort, Cumin, Edible Carrot, False Thorow-wax, Field Eryngo, Fine-leaved Water Dropwort, Fool's Parsley, Fool's Watercress, Garden Angelica, Garden Parsley, Giant Fennel, Giant Hogweed, Great Pignut, Greater Burnet-saxifrage, Greater Water Parsnip, Ground Elder, Hartwort, Hemlock, Hemlock Water Dropwort, Hog's Fennel, Honewort, Knotted Hedge Parsley, Lesser Marshwort, Lesser Water Parsnip, Longleaf, Masterwort, Milk Parsley, Moon Carrot, Parsley Water Dropwort, Pepper-saxifrage, Pignut, Pink Masterwort, River Water Dropwort, Rock Samphire, Rough Chervil, Sanicle, Scots Lovage, Sea Carrot, Sea Holly, Shepherd's Needle, Shrubby Hare's-ear, Siberian Hogweed, Slender Hare's-ear, Small Hare's-ear, Spignel, Spreading Hedge Parsley, Stone Parsley, Sulphurwort, Sweet Cicely, Tubular Water Dropwort, Upright Hedge Parsley, Whorled Caraway, Wild Angelica, Wild Carrot, Wild Celery, Wild Fennel, Wild Parsnip
Maximum Size:
60 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Disturbed ground, fields, gardens, grassland, meadows, roadsides.
Bupleurum rotundifolium produces yellow-green flowers in small, compound umbels from June to August. Unlike many other umbellifers, its umbels are relatively understated, with small bracts and bracteoles. The flowers themselves are not especially showy but are arranged in tight clusters.
Fruit:
Its fruits are characteristic dry schizocarps (as with other Apiaceae), splitting into two parts. They are oval and flattened with prominent ridges, a common trait in this family.
Leaves:
The leaves are what make this species instantly recognisable: they are rounded or oval and clasp the stem, forming a distinctive perfoliate appearance. This feature—where it looks like the stem passes through the middle of the leaf—is rare among umbellifers and makes the plant easily identifiable. The leaves are leathery and bluish-green.
Fragrance:
The plant lacks a notable fragrance, unlike some of its relatives like fennel or caraway. It may give off a slightly bitter or green scent when crushed, but it’s not aromatic in a culinary sense.
Other Names:
Common Hare's Ear, Forcible Plant, Hound's-ear, Narrow-leaved Thorough-wax, North American Modesty Plant, Round-leaved Bupleurum, Round-leaved Hare's Ear, Round-leaved Thorow-wax, Thorough-wax, Thoroughwort.
Summary
Bupleurum rotundifolium, also known as round-leaved thorow-wax or round-leaved hare's ear, is a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia. It is typically found in grassland, meadows, and disturbed areas such as roadsides and pastures. The plant has a tall, spiky stem and produces small, yellow flowers. It is considered a weed and invasive in some areas, but it is also cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens. Bupleurum rotundifolium has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes, such as for treating liver and gallbladder complaints. Additionally, the root of the plant can be eaten and used as a vegetable, and the leaves can be used as a tea.
Blog
Thorow-wax, also known as Round-leaved Bupleurum (Bupleurum rotundifolium), is a beautiful wildflower that is native to many parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. This plant belongs to the Apiaceae family, which is also known as the carrot family, and is a popular choice for gardeners and wildflower enthusiasts alike.
The Thorow-wax plant is known for its delicate and lacy appearance, with small, round leaves and clusters of yellow flowers that bloom in the summer. The plant grows to a height of about 30-60 cm, making it an excellent choice for borders, rock gardens, and wildflower meadows.
One of the most appealing features of Thorow-wax is its hardiness and low maintenance requirements. It is a very adaptable plant that can grow in a wide range of soils and conditions, including dry and rocky soils, making it an ideal choice for gardeners who want a low-maintenance garden. The plant also has the ability to self-seed, so once it is established, it can spread and create beautiful displays of yellow flowers for years to come.
Thorow-wax is also an excellent choice for butterfly and bee gardens, as it is a popular food source for these pollinators. The plant's small yellow flowers are a great source of nectar, and the plant provides an important source of food for bees and other insects at a time when other food sources are scarce.
In addition to its beauty and hardiness, Thorow-wax has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for a variety of purposes. It has been used to treat digestive problems, including indigestion and flatulence, as well as to soothe the symptoms of colds and flu. The plant is also thought to have mild pain-relieving properties, making it an excellent choice for people who are looking for a natural alternative to over-the-counter pain relievers.
In conclusion, Thorow-wax is an attractive and versatile wildflower that is ideal for gardeners and wildflower enthusiasts alike. It is a hardy plant that is easy to grow and care for, making it an excellent choice for those who want a low-maintenance garden. With its delicate appearance, nectar-rich flowers, and traditional medicinal uses, Thorow-wax is a plant that is sure to be appreciated by all.
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