Bupleurum rotundifolium

Hare’s ear, Thorough wax, Thorowax, Thorow-wax

Apiaceae Edible: Leaves 1,394 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Bupleurum rotundifolium, hare's ear or hound's ear, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Bupleurum, it is native to Morocco, Algeria, southern, central and eastern Europe, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Successful in disturbed areas, it is now an established weed in the eastern United States, and in South Africa, and is introduced elsewhere.

Description

It is an annual or short lived perennial shrub. It grows 60 cm high and spreads 60 cm wide. The leaves are round and bluish-green. They wrap around the stem. The lower leaves have stalks. The flowers are small and bluish green. There are large bracts around the flower groups. The fruit is oblong and 3-3.5 mm long and smooth.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or cooked. Added to salads or used as a pot-herb. The leaves are also used as a spice.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are eaten raw in salads and as a pot-herb. It is also used as a spice.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It grows in dry open habitats. It grows best in well-drained alkaline soils. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Where It Grows

Africa, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Britain, Caucasus, Europe*, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye, USA,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seed. The seed should be planted where the plants are to grow.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Notes

There are about 100 Bupleurum species.

Also Known As

Hare’s ear, Thorough wax, Thorowax, Thorow-wax, Denmark: Rundbladet hare're. Estonia: maralehine j'nesekärv. Latvia: Apskritalapis gaivenis. Lithuania: apallapu bupleire. Norway: Hare're. Poland: Przewiercien okraglolistny. Sweden: Har'rt.

References (9)

Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 69
Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 158
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 177
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 269
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 16

Show all 9 references

Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 139
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Sp. pl. 1:236. 1753
Tanaka,