Opopanax chironium, (L.) Koch

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 : 360

1. O. chironium (L.) Koch , Nova Acta Acad. Leop.-Carol. 12(1): 96 (1824).

Robust perennial with a stout, solid stem up to 200 cm. Branches verticillate or subopposite, often very close below the terminal umbel. Lower leaves 2-pinnate, with stellate hairs beneath; lobes 4-12 cm, obliquely cordate to cuneate at base, crenate-serrate; rhachis sparsely hispid; upper leaves simple, or reduced to inflated petioles. Rays 9-25. Bracts and bracteoles few, setaceous. Fruit 6-7 mm, elliptical; border narrow, thickened, whitish. 2« = 22. W. & C. Mediterranean region, N. & C. parts o f Balkan peninsula, just extending to S.E. Romania. Al Bu Ga G r Hs It Ju Rm Sa Si.

Plants from the Balkan peninsula tend to have larger leaflets with a more cuneate, decurrent base than those from the western part of the range of the species. Extreme variants have been called O. bulgaricus Velen., Österr. Bot. Zeitschr. 52: 51 (1902).