Bupleurum falcatum, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 349

29. B. falcatum L. , Sp. Pl. 237 (1753)

(incl. B. exaltatum Bieb. , B. olympicum Boiss. , B. parnassicum Halâcsy , B. rossicum Woronow , B. sibthorpianum Sm. , B. woronovii Manden. ).

Very variable perennial or rarely annual up to 100 cm; stock almost or quite devoid of remains of dead leaves. Basal leaves obovate, elliptical, oblong or linear, distinctly petiolate or sessile; veins 5-7; cauline leaves sessile, semi-amplexicaul, lanceolate to linear, often falcate. Rays 3-15, filiform. Bracts 2-5, lanceolate to subulate, very unequal; veins 3-5; bracteoles 5, linear-lanceolate, acuminate; veins 3(-5). Fruit 3-6 mm; ridges filiform or more or less winged. 5., C. & E. Europe, extending north-westwards to S. England. Al Au Be Br Bu Co Cz Ga Ge Gr He Hs Hu It Ju Po Rm Rs (C, W, K, E).

A very variable species which requires investigation before infraspecific taxa can be satisfactorily delimited. The two following are sufficiently distinct morphologically to merit recognition as subspecies at this stage, though more or less intermediate plants (e.g. B. parnassicum Halâcsy ) occur in some parts of their range.