Bupleurum falcatum, commonly known as sickle-leaved hare’s-ear or Chinese thoroughwax, is a perennial herb native to a range of habitats including grasslands, roadsides, and open woodlands in Europe and Western Asia. It typically grows to a height of 30-90 cm (12-35 inches) with a similar spread. The plant is characterized by its narrow, sickle-shaped leaves and small, yellow flowers arranged in compound umbels, which bloom from mid to late summer. The flowers are not particularly showy but are interesting for their unique structure and attract pollinators.

Sickle-leaved hare’s-ear is valued for its medicinal properties, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine where it has been used as a liver tonic and is believed to possess antidepressant properties. In cultivation, it is appreciated for its ease of maintenance and its ability to adapt to a variety of soil conditions, though it prefers well-drained soils. It is suitable for naturalistic plantings, herb gardens, and as part of mixed borders. This plant requires moderate moisture and can tolerate full sun to part shade. While generally disease-free, it can occasionally suffer from root rot if kept too wet.CC BY-SA 4.0