Bupleurum exaltatum M. Bieb.

This species has reputed medicinal value (in Xinjiang).

A plant of dry Artemisia and juniperus tracts. This and the following four species are all closely related and sometimes given subspecific or varietal rank under B. falcatum.

Plants 40–90 cm, perennial. Taproot stout, woody, thickened into a several-branched caudex. Stems numerous, branching above, base without fibrous remnant sheaths. Basal leaves many, caespitose, sessile; blade linear to linear-lanceolate, 8–12 × 0.2–0.4 cm, 3-nerved, base slightly narrow, clasping. Middle leaves linear-subulate. Upper leaves subulate, ca. 5 × 1 mm, 1–3-nerved. Inflorescence copiously branched, umbels 1.5–3 cm across; bracts 2–3. linear or lanceolate, 0.5–2 mm; rays 3–5 (–7), 5–22 mm, unequal; bracteoles 5, elliptic or lanceolate, 1–1.5 × ca. 0.5 mm, thick, shorter than or equaling pedicels; umbellules 4–7 mm across, 5–10-flowered; pedicels 2–3 mm, exceeding the bracteoles in fruit. Petals yellow. Stylopodium low-conic, dark yellow. Fruit oblong, 3.5–4.5 × 1.5–2 mm; ribs narrowly winged; vittae large, 1 in each furrow, 2 on commissure. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Aug–Sep.

Perennial, shrubby, up to 70 cm tall; base woody. Stems 1 or more from the base. Basal and lower leaves linear, coriaceous, up to 12 cm long, 2-3 mm broad, veins 3-5, secondary veins obscure; upper leaves similar, shorter. Involucral bracts 3-5, short, linear. Rays 3-5, thin, unequal. Involucel of 5 linear bractlets, as long as the flowering pedicels. Fruit oblong, 3 mm long; ridges prominent: furrows 3-vittate; commissure 4-vittate.

Xinjiang (Ürümqi) [Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan].

Distribution: South Europe, Middle East, Afghanistan, Central Asia, W. Pakistan.

Mountain slopes; ca. 1500 m.