Thoroughwax (Bupleurum rotundifolium, Sp. Pl.: 236 (1753))

Family: Apiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 236 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Bupleurum

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. Europe, Medit. to C. Asia

Description

Thoroughwax, scientifically known as Bupleurum rotundifolium, is a fascinating plant species celebrated for its unique characteristics and wide geographical range. Described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant holds a significant place within the Apiaceae family, commonly known as the carrot or parsley family.

Bupleurum rotundifolium is indigenous to a vast region extending from Central and Eastern Europe through the Mediterranean basin and reaching as far as Central Asia. This extensive distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to diverse climatic conditions and habitats.

Characterized by its round, often bluish-green leaves, thoroughwax stands out within its family. The plant’s foliage is distinctive, with a somewhat waxy texture that underlies its common name. Typically found in wild meadows, grasslands, and open fields, thoroughwax thrives in well-drained soils and areas that receive ample sunlight.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Bupleurum rotundifolium has piqued the interest of herbalists and traditional medicine practitioners. While its primary allure remains its ornamental and ecological attributes, some cultures have explored its potential medicinal properties, although such uses require more scientific validation for mainstream application.

Overall, thoroughwax exemplifies the botanical richness and ecological importance of the Apiaceae family. Its ability to adapt across a broad range of environments from Europe to Asia underscores its resilience and the botanical marvels that can be found within our natural world.

Common Names

Deu: acker-hasenohr, rundblättriges hasenohr, durchwachsenes hasenohr
Lit: apskritalapis gaivenis
Eng: hare’s ear, hare’s-ear, thoroughwax, thorow-wax, throw-wax, round-leaved thoroughwax
Dan: rundbladet hareøre
Lav: apaļlapu bupleire
Swe: harört, haröra, rundbladig harört
Ces: prerastlík okrúhlolistý, prorostlík okrouhlolistý
Est: ümaralehine jänesekõrv
Nld: doorwas
Fra: buplèvre à feuilles rondes
Nob: hareøre (plante)
Nno: hareøyre (plante)
Cym: paladr trwyddo, paladr trwyddo deilgrwn
En: Thoroughwax, Thorow-wax, Throw-wax, Hare’s-ear, Hare’s ear, Hound’s-ear, Thorowax, Round-leaved thoroughwax
Ar: دبيق دائري الأوراق
Az: Dəyirmiyarpaq öküzboğan
Be: Валадушка круглалістая
Bg: Кръглолистна урока
Ca: Unflabou rotundifòli
Cs: Prorostlík okrouhlolistý, Prerastlík okrúhlolistý
Da: Rundbladet hareøre
Nl: Doorwas
Et: Ümaralehine jänesekõrv
Fi: Pyöröjänönputki
Fr: “Buplèvre à feuilles rondes, Oreille-de-lièvre”, Buplèvre à feuilles rondes, Buplèvre engainé, Oreille-de-lièvre, Perce-feuille
Ka: Მრგვალფოთოლა ქვაპურა
De: Rundblättriges Hasenohr, Durchwachsenes Hasenohr, Acker-Hasenohr
It: Bupleuro perigliato, Perfogliata, Bupleuro perfogliato
Lv: Apaļlapu bupleire
Lt: Apskritalapis gaivenis
No: Hareøre
Nb: Hareøre (plante)
Nn: Hareøyre (plante)
Pl: Przewiercień okrągłolistny
Sk: Prerastlík okrúhlolistý
Es: Haloche, Oreja de liebre
Sv: Harört, Haröra, Rundbladig harört
Cy: Paladr trwyddo deilgrwn, Paladr Trwyddo

Synonyms

• Bupleurum perfoliatum var. rotuncifolium ((L.) Desv.)
• Selinum perfoliatum (E.H.L.Krause)
• Diatropa rotundifolia ((L.) Dumort.)
• Tenoria rotundifolia (Bubani)
• Bupleurum rotundifolium var. alpinum (Lapeyr.)
• Bupleurum perfoliatum (Lam.)
• Perfolisa obtusifolia (Raf.)
• Bupleurum rotundifolium f. oblongum (Bornm. ex H.Wolff)
• Bupleurum rotundifolium f. typicum (H.Wolff)
• Bupleurum perfoliatum var. rotundifolium ((L.) Desv.)
• Perfoliata rotundifolia ((L.) Fourr.)
• Bupleurum rotundifolium var. petiolatum (Gray)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Altay (introduced)
• Amur (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2008 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 27, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 13, 2020 by Jeannie Levavasseur (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Hernández Miguel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 27, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2008 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 8, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2018 by Daria Sukhova (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 12, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken May 27, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3034554)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:38361-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Bupleurum rotundifolium L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 9.0

Ph minimum: 8.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 5