Lanceleaf thorow-wax

Description

Bupleurum lancifolium is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae known by the common name lanceleaf thorow-wax. It is native to the Mediterranean Basin and it is known elsewhere, including parts of North America, as an introduced species. It grows up to 50 centimetres (20 in) tall with a hairless, waxy stem around which leaves are fused at their bases. The dull, waxy, deep-green leaves are narrowly lance-shaped to nearly oval and 3 to 10 centimetres (1.2 to 3.9 in) long. The inflorescence is a compound umbel borne on a peduncle which may be several centimeters tall. The umbel is surrounded by five wide, round to oval, and sometimes pointed bractlets at the base. The flowers are yellow to yellow-green. Bupleurum is a large genus of annual or perennial herbs or woody shrubs, with about 190 species, belonging to the family Apiaceae. The full size of its species may vary between a few cm to up to 3 m high. Their compound umbels of small flowers are adorned with bracteoles that are sometimes large and may play a role in attracting pollinators. Rare among the Apiaceae are the simple leaves, bracts (if present), and bracteoles. The genus is almost exclusively native in the Old World Northern Hemisphere, with one species native to North America and one species native to southern Africa.